10 Common HOA Disputes in Maryland
& How to Win (2026)

Maryland homeowners facing unfair HOA fines should know that under Maryland Homeowners Association Act — Md. Code, Real Prop. § 11B-101, the association must provide written notice and 15 days to request a hearing before a fine becomes enforceable. The fine limit in Maryland is: Set by CC&Rs — no statutory cap. Many Maryland HOAs impose fines without following proper notice procedures — making those fines potentially void. Document the violation notice, check whether the fine schedule is recorded in the CC&Rs, and respond within the deadline.

Maryland homeowners frequently clash with architectural review committees that deny modification requests without objective criteria. Under Maryland Homeowners Association Act — Md. Code, Real Prop. § 11B-101, the HOA must apply published architectural standards uniformly. Denials must be in writing and reference specific CC&R provisions — not the personal preferences of committee members. If your Maryland HOA denied a modification without written reasons, the denial may be challengeable.

Maryland homeowners have the right to attend board meetings, review financial records, and participate in governance decisions. Under Maryland Homeowners Association Act — Md. Code, Real Prop. § 11B-101, the board must provide advance notice of meetings and make financial documents available for member inspection. Many Maryland HOA boards hold meetings without proper notice, conduct business in executive session when the topic doesn't qualify, or refuse to share financial details — all of which violate homeowner rights.

Board election disputes in Maryland HOAs include failure to hold annual elections, proxy manipulation, improper ballot counting, and refusal to seat newly elected members. Under Maryland Homeowners Association Act — Md. Code, Real Prop. § 11B-101, the association must hold annual meetings where board members are elected by the membership. If your board has not held an election as required by the bylaws, members can petition for a special meeting or seek a court order.

When your Maryland HOA collects assessments but fails to maintain common areas — roads, pools, playgrounds, roofs, and landscaping — you have grounds for a breach of fiduciary duty claim. Under Maryland Homeowners Association Act — Md. Code, Real Prop. § 11B-101, the board has a duty to maintain common elements in good condition. Maryland homeowners should demand a written maintenance schedule, review the reserve fund balance, and document neglected areas with photographs.

Maryland law gives homeowners the right to inspect and copy association records including financial statements, meeting minutes, contracts, and member lists. Under Maryland Homeowners Association Act — Md. Code, Real Prop. § 11B-101, the board must make records available within a reasonable time after a written request. If your Maryland HOA refuses to produce records or charges excessive copying fees, you can seek a court order and may be awarded attorney fees.

Special assessments in Maryland HOAs can range from $500 to $20,000+ per unit, typically for major repairs the reserve fund cannot cover. Under Maryland Homeowners Association Act — Md. Code, Real Prop. § 11B-101, the board must follow specific procedures — including proper notice and member voting if the assessment exceeds the declaration's threshold. Maryland homeowners can challenge special assessments if the board failed to maintain adequate reserves or didn't follow the proper approval process.

Selective enforcement — where the HOA punishes one homeowner while ignoring identical violations by neighbors — is one of the most common and most winnable disputes in Maryland. Under Maryland Homeowners Association Act — Md. Code, Real Prop. § 11B-101, enforcement must be consistent and uniform. Maryland courts have held that selective enforcement constitutes a violation of the implied covenant of good faith. Document at least 3 neighbors with the same alleged violation using timestamped photographs.

Parking disputes in Maryland HOA communities cover a wide range: guest parking limits, RV and boat storage bans, work truck restrictions, and towing from common areas. Under Maryland Homeowners Association Act — Md. Code, Real Prop. § 11B-101, parking restrictions must be in the recorded CC&Rs to be enforceable. Board-adopted "parking policies" that go beyond the recorded covenants may not have legal authority. Maryland towing statutes also require proper signage before vehicles can be removed from private property.

Maryland allows HOA lien foreclosure for unpaid assessments. Under Maryland Homeowners Association Act — Md. Code, Real Prop. § 11B-101, the association can record a lien for unpaid assessments and, in some cases, unpaid fines. Maryland does not require mediation before foreclosure. Never ignore a lien notice — respond in writing immediately, request an accounting of all amounts claimed, and consult an attorney if the amounts are significant.