In 2026, the 449th Maryland General Assembly session convened on January 14th and adjourned on April 13th. Maryland REALTORS® issues a recap of all of the pertinent legislation affecting the real estate industry. Below is a summary of the “Common Ownership Communities” related legislation that passed and an overview of one that did not pass; however, was being watched closely as it relates to the fees property management companies can charge sellers for resale documents.
House Bill 1132, Condominiums and Homeowners Associations – Resale, did not pass.
It reduces turnaround times for associations to provide resale documents from 20 to 10 days and conforms conflicting timelines between the Condo and HOA Acts. It also lowers and standardizes resale package base fees from $250 to $100, eliminates higher rush fees, limits expedited and update charges, and removes automatic inflation adjustments.
Senate Bill 747, Unit Owner Responsibility for Damage and Mandatory Insurance Coverage, becomes effective Oct. 1, 2027.
The owner of a residential condominium may be responsible for the least of the total costs of the repair or replacement, the council of unit owners’ property insurance deductible, or $25,000. The council of unit owners is required to provide information on the unit owner’s responsibility for the property insurance deductible and the actual amount of the deductible exceeding the responsibility of the unit owner.
House Bill 405, Condominiums and Homeowners Associations - Electric Vehicle Recharging, also into effect Oct. 1, 2026.
It prevents condominium and homeowners’ associations from banning or unreasonably restricting installation of electric vehicle chargers in common parking spaces. Applicants must go through the normal budget process, and may require a parking capacity assessment and renewable license for use of common elements. This applies retroactively to rules adopted on or before October 1, 2026.
HB 956 Condominiums, Buildings More Than 40 Years Old – Study, went into effect June 1, 2026.
It requires the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to study condominium buildings in the state that are more than 40 years old and submit findings to the General Assembly by December 1, 2026.
As passed, it includes REALTOR® amendments to protect condo owner privacy.
Lauren Bunting is a Broker with Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva in Ocean City, Maryland.
