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Common Ownership Communities
WELCOME TO THE OFFICE OF COMMON OWNERSHIP COMMUNITIES (COC)
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MaShawn Hall
Unit Chief, Common Ownership Communities
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Ynetta Butchee
Community Liaison
Mission
Our mission is to establish a program to assist in addressing the needs of common ownership communities by providing education, training, resources, and alternative dispute services.
Vision
To foster positive and productive relationships by developing partnerships with association members, boards of directors, management companies and the County government.
Core Values
- Engage communities in activities that will promote awareness of community operations.
- Educate internal and external stakeholders about living in common ownership communities.
- Empower communities by providing information and resources that impact community living.
What is a Common Ownership Community (COC)?
The are three kinds of community associations are condominiums, homeowners’ associations and cooperatives. The main difference between the three groups is the ownership:
- Condominiums - In a condominium, the individual unit owner owns fee simple title to the air space contained within their unit and an undivided interest in all common grounds, streets and parking, recreation facilities, utilities, and parts of residential structures (i.e., the roof and lobby), which are collectively known as the common elements. A master deed divides the land into units and common elements and sets forth rights, obligations and restrictions of the condominium owner. Owners are obligated to pay assessments.
- Homeowners Associations - In a homeowners association, the homeowner owns his/her home in fee simple title and the common grounds and facilities are owned in fee simple by the association as an entity. Open space, recreational and common areas are vested in the homeowners’ association and funds for their upkeep are raised from assessments. Homeowners’ associations are regulated by privately written Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions.
- Cooperatives - In cooperative housing, the shareholder does not own real estate, but owns a share of the legal entity that owns real estate. The corporation owns the land, buildings and any common areas. Each resident has membership in the coop association and has occupancy rights to a specific suite.
Governing Documents
Each association has its own unique governing document, written specifically for that association. Your association should provide these documents along with any restrictions that apply to your Planned Development.
Management Company
A company hired for the purpose of providing administrative, facility and financial services for a community. These services are typically performed with a formal contract. Management company and Association operations are required to operate within the boundaries of the law.
PG 419-10 legislation established that all common ownership communities and management companies must register annually with the Office of Community Relations. This includes governing body of a homeowners’ association, the council of unit owners of a condominium, and the board of directors of a cooperative housing cooperation are responsible for compliance.
Registration and payment submission are now handled exclusively online. The annual registration deadline is December 31st of each year. Please be sure to register each association that you manage within Prince George’s County individually. NOTE: You will need the Tax ID number for each association. Please be sure to write the complete legal name of each community. Only one fee of $100 per management company is due (you can register multiple communities under one company).
In order to complete your registration, please follow the steps below:
https://communityownership.princegeorgescountymd.gov
If you experience any problems with the registrations, please email the COC mailbox at coc@co.pg.md.us or call our office at 301-952-4729.
This office may make any information received under Real Property 14-130 available to the public, subject to the provisions of the Maryland Public Information Act.
A person who commits a willful violation of Real Property 14-130 or who causes a person to commit a willful violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000.00.
CB-49-2015 established the Commission on Common Ownership Communities. The purpose of the Commission is to ensure the proper establishment and operation of homeowners’ associations, condominium associations and cooperative housing units. Additionally, the Commission is to promote public awareness and association membership understanding of the rights and obligations of living in a common ownership community. This Commission is also responsible for assisting and overseeing the development of coordinated community and government policies, programs and services which support these communities.
Commissioners
Voting Members
- Patricia Fletcher
- Danielle L. Grey
- Daniel Hall
- Marvin E. Holmes, Jr.
- Dr. Linda Hunt
- Vacant
- Robert E. Nicholson
- Timothy Smith
- Nicole Williams, Esq.
Non-Voting Members
- Sherri Conner, M-NCPPC
- Matthew Venuti, PGC Office of Law
- Karen Straughn, Esq., Office of the Attorney General
- Nicole Garrett, Department of Housing and Community Affairs
- Representative, Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement
Commission Meetings
The Commission on Common Ownership Communities meets on the 4th Wednesday (exceptions may apply) of every month and are currently being held virtually. Find meeting dates, times, locations and agendas on the County calendar.
The EDvantage Online Training Program is designed to build and improve on the skills of homeowners, residents of homeowners’ associations, residential condominiums, cooperative housing corporations, and governing bodies. Training includes modules on Board of Directors, governing documents, budgeting, meetings, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and legislation related to Common Ownership Communities. This no-cost training is available in English and Spanish.
Start today, visit https://ocredvantagepublic.princegeorgescountymd.gov
Want to request in-house training? Please email the COC mailbox at coc@co.pg.md.us or call our office at 301-952-4729.
- MD Condominium Act, MD Code, Real Property, Title 11
- Real Property, Sections 14-201 to 14-206
- MD Homeowners Act, MD Code, Real Property, Title 11B
- Maryland Cooperative Housing Act, Md. Code, Corporations & Associations, Sections 5-6B-01 to 5-6B-33
- Maryland Corporations Act, Md. Code, Corporations & Associations, Sections 5- 210 to 5-208 and Sections 2-410 to 2-507
- Maryland Open Meetings Act
- Maryland Reserve Study Law
- Maryland Contract Lien Act, Md. Code
- Display of Flag, Md. Code, Real Property, Section 14-128
- Maryland CondoLiving AG Guide
- Roberts Rules Cheat Sheet
- Solar Collection, Md. Code, Real Property, Section 2-119
Want to secure a copy of your governing documents? Here are some helpful links:
Want to schedule a meeting?
The COC office is available to attend in-person and virtual meetings. For more information, please email the COC mailbox at coc@co.pg.md.us or call our office at 301-952-4729.
Disclaimer
Common Ownership Communities publishes information with the understanding that it is not engaged in rendering legal or other professional services. The Office makes no warranties, express or implied, about the accuracy or completeness of information. Links to other websites are for the convenience of our website visitors. The inclusion of a link is not an endorsement of its content.