NJ A3467

Expands Department of Community Affairs (DCA) regulatory authority over common interest communities with more than 100 units, including power to investigate complaints, issue subpoenas, impose fines up to $2,500 per violation against associations or $5,000 against individual board members, and remove board members who violate orders

Establishes a 9-member Advisory Council on Common Interest Communities appointed by the Governor to receive public input, advise DCA on rule changes, and recommend improvements to education programs for homeowners associations

Creates the Office of the Ombudsman for Common Interest Communities within DCA to assist homeowners and board members in understanding their rights, facilitate dispute resolution through trained volunteer mediators, and coordinate educational resources through Rutgers University

Requires all homeowners associations to register annually with DCA and pay a fee not exceeding $3 per unit, with funds deposited into a new Common Interest Community Homeowners' Association Trust Fund to support administrative costs, education, mediation services, and grants to low/moderate income households

Mandates DCA to publish a booklet explaining homeownership in common interest communities, including rights and responsibilities of unit owners and board members, which must be provided to all purchasers before signing a sales contract