In the most recent legislative session, HB 410 was on the agenda. House Bill 410 was introduced to provide a list of information that home owners associations, property owners associations, and condominium owners associations would be required to provide upon request for a closing. The proposed legislation, if passed, would also cap the fees the association or management company could charge for preparing and providing the closing documents and information.
House Bill 410 was designed to set the fee below the average of any state that is currently regulated. The proposed fee was arbitrarily low and below the cost to perform the services needed to effectuate closings on behalf of the association. The association management industry and lobbyists worked diligently all session to educate legislators on the negative impact this proposed legislation would have on the industry, associations, and owner of homes and condos in associations.
"House Bill 410 provides a list of information that home owners associations, property owners associations, and condominium owners associations would be required to provide to a homeowner upon request and caps the fees the association could charge for producing and transferring that information.
First, the cap provided by HB 410 is, to my knowledge, lower than that of any other state in the nation with such a cap and may not be sufficient to cover costs of providing the information required, which could result in increased costs to association members.
Second, such associations often contract with private parties to provide these services so that association members need not complete the tasks personally, on behalf of the association.
With the Georgia Primary Elections just around the corner on May 22nd, we wanted to remind homeowners that whatever your political philosophy, you should exercise your individual right to help choose the people who will lead our government—at the federal, state and local levels. Casting a ballot is an American right that people in many other countries don't enjoy.
Just as we elect our government officials, many homeowners also have an opportunity to elect and vote for their HOA board members. If you are not happy with your current board, vote for change! If you are happy, vote for them to stay! Either way, each person's vote counts both at the national and local level, even in your own community.
When is the Georgia Primary Election in 2018?
The Georgia Primary Elections for both the Democratic and Republican parties is coming up on May 22nd.
Before you can vote, you must register. You can register to vote in the State of Georgia online by visiting the online voter registration site. You can also register by filling out a paper application and mailing it in via the DMV's website. The site also included information on who is eligible to vote in Georgia elections.
And remember, if you're an owner in good standing, you have the right to vote in our own association elections. Our campaigns aren't covered by the worldwide media, and we don't have bumper stickers and buttons, but they are important and do make a difference in your life.
Reach out to your Heritage Property Manager or your community HOA to find out when the next election is being held in your community.
Want to learn more about the upcoming Georgia Primary Elections this May?
Check out the Ballotpedia website for more details about who's running in both the Republican and Democratic parties.
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