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Maryland Court of Special Appeals Upholds Contempt Ruling Against Condominium

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals has upheld a ruling of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City finding a Condominium Council of Unit Owners in contempt of court for failing to make common element repairs within the time designated in the ruling of an arbitrations panel, and ordering that monthly payments to the displaced unit owner for alternative living expenses continue until the repairs are properly completed.  I served as counsel for the unit owner.  The appeal can be found entitled as 100 Harborview Drive Condominium Council of Unit Owners v. Penthouse 4C, LLC, No. 0901, Sept. Term 2014, and you can review the opinion by copying the following link:  http://www.courts.state.md.us/appellate/unreportedopinions/2015/0901s14.pdf

Maryland Governor Signs Into Law Legislation That Protects New Home Buyers Who Are Unable To Secure A Loan Commitment

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has signed into law HB 1183, which provides protections to new home buyers who are unable to secure a loan commitment to permit them to proceed to closing.  The new law, which relates only to the initial sale of new homes, amends Section 14-117 of the Real Property Article in the Annotated Code of Maryland concerning loan contingencies in new home contracts.  It provides that all new home contracts must be contingent on the purchaser obtaining a loan commitment.  Additionally, the contract must state the maximum loan interest rate the purchaser is obligated to accept, and the time period in which the purchase must obtain a loan commitment.  If the purchaser does not obtain a loan commitment within the stated rate limit and time period, either the seller or the purchaser may declare the contract void.  Any deposit is to be returned to the purchaser. (more…)