House Bill 1053, now pending in the Maryland General Assembly, would make significant changes affecting the operation of a condominium during the period of developer control.  The proposed law would require the developer, within 30 days after 25% of the units are sold, to appoint at least one board member who is a unit owner and unaffiliated with the developer.  If there is no board at that time, the developer would be required to create one.  Additionally, the developer would be required to keep separate books and records for the condominium apart from the developer’s own business records.

Once the unit owners take control, the bill would require the developer to provide notice of any bond provided by the developer to a government agency, and to provide advance notice of the developer’s intention to request that it be released from a bond.

The bill would also require, in all circumstances, that a condominium governing body meet at least two times per year.

The bill calls for similar requirements to be be applicable to homeowner associations.