Common interest communities; court may enter default judgment against unit owner on sworn affidavit. (HB2289)

Introduced By

Del. Mark Sickles (D-Alexandria)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Common interest communities; rules violations; jurisdiction of general district courts.  Empowers the court to award reasonable attorney fees and costs to the prevailing party if a lawsuit results from the assessment of charges for a rules violation by an owner. The court may also order the violating owner to abate or remedy the violation. Finally, a general district court may enter default judgment against an owner on the association's sworn affidavit. The bill contains technical amendments. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Passed

History

DateAction
01/12/2011Committee
01/12/2011Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/12/11 11102015D
01/12/2011Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/18/2011Assigned Courts sub: #2 Civil
01/24/2011Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (10-Y 0-N)
01/31/2011Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (22-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/02/2011Read first time
02/03/2011Read second time
02/03/2011Committee amendments agreed to
02/03/2011Engrossed by House as amended HB2289E
02/03/2011Printed as engrossed 11102015D-E
02/04/2011Passed by for the day
02/06/2011Passed by for the day
02/07/2011Read third time and passed House (95-Y 3-N)
02/07/2011VOTE: PASSAGE (95-Y 3-N) (see vote tally)
02/08/2011Constitutional reading dispensed
02/08/2011Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
02/14/2011Reported from Courts of Justice (13-Y 2-N) (see vote tally)
02/15/2011Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/16/2011Read third time
02/16/2011Passed Senate (33-Y 7-N) (see vote tally)
02/22/2011Enrolled
02/22/2011Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB2289ER)
02/22/2011Signed by Speaker
02/23/2011Signed by President
03/22/2011G Approved by Governor-Chapter 372 (effective 7/1/11)
03/22/2011G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0372)

Video

This bill was discussed on the floor of the General Assembly. Below is all of the video that we have of that discussion, 2 clips in all, totaling 4 minutes.

Duplicate Bills

The following bills are identical to this one: SB1327.

Comments

Sauce for the Goose writes:

Delegate Sickles:

Why not amend this Bill to provide equal treatment for a Homeowner who alleges that his HOA is violating the POAA or the Governing Documents of an HOA?

Several years ago, you had the good sense to back off from a CAI sponsored bill that would have permitted Boards to keep draft "rules" secret from homeowners until the rules were actually adopted, which would have deprived owners of an opportunity to see or comment on proposed rules.

This is just another "bad idea" from the Community Association Institute.

Make HOA's pursue injunctive relief. Strip them of the right to create Kangaroo Courts to "fine" homeowners. Repeal the language in 55-516 of the POAA that lets HOAs sell a homeowner's house by auction on the courthouse steps through "nonjudicial foreclosure" to collect a "fine."

That would be a good start.

Back Off, Counselor writes:

CAI lawyers need to make a living, too.

Or would you have us go back to selling used cars?

F. Lee Foreclosure, Esq.
Filechurner & Foreclosure, LLP

"We make money the CAI way: through the equity in your home."

A Citizen writes:

Dear Delegate Sickles:

This legislation is an egregeous exercise of money and power over my interests. If you continue to support this bill I will spend my money and my time to campaign against you. I will encourage my friends to do so as well.

Thank you.

Why not reciprocity? writes:

The Bill provides that "a general district court may enter default judgment against an owner on the association's sworn affidavit."

Why only the "association's" affidavit?

Why not have reciprocity for the HOMEOWNER?

You DO represent "Homeowners," don't you Delegate Sickles?

ppradoslaw writes:

This bill looks like it is going to pass.

See the details of its effects below:
http://northernvirginialawyer.blogspot.com/2011/02/virginias-hoas-getting-ready-to-hold.html

Disgusted and angry writes:

You have just done your constituents a HUGE disservice by tilting the baance of power away from them even further and giving even greater powers to the associations and their advisors. You are playing into the hands of special interests and are a danger to society. You are not protecting the citizens of Virginia and do not deserve to be reelected.

Homeowner in Fairfax County writes:

What a terrible Bill for homeowners in HOAs!

I hope the Governor will have the good sense to veto this.