HB5422 - Condominium Ombudsperson Act

• Creates the Office of the Condominium Ombudsperson within the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, effective July 1, 2010.

• Ombudsperson shall provide training and educational materials to unit owners and condominium associations on property management, rights, and duties; maintain a statewide toll-free number and website with relevant laws and dispute resolution information.

• Ombudsperson may offer dispute resolution assistance for disputes between unit owners and condominium associations involving condominium property law at no charge.

• Every condominium unit owners' association must pay an annual fee of $3 per unit initially, adjustable annually by the Ombudsperson up to a maximum of $10 per unit based on operational costs; fees fund the Condominium Ombudsperson Fund.

• Board members of condominium associations must certify within 60 days of assuming office that they have read the condominium instruments and this Act; Ombudsperson shall submit annual reports to the General Assembly with workload data and statutory reform recommendations.