Steven Sugarman on Condominium and HOA Law 101: Back to the Basics

Seasoned professionals in the community association industry, as well as newcomers, benefitted from a presentation by community association lawyer Steven Sugarman on “Condominium and HOA Law 101: Back to the Basics” held October 22, 2024 via webcast by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI). Topics included:

1. Creating and Forming Associations
o Legal Framework: Understand the laws and regulations that govern the establishment of community associations
o Key Documents: Learn about essential documents such as bylaws, articles of incorporation and declarations

2. The Association’s Authority: Collections and Enforcement
o Governing Powers: Discover the extent of the association’s authority in managing community affairs
o Collections Procedures: Explore effective strategies for collecting assessments and managing delinquencies
o Enforcement of Rules: Understand the processes for enforcing community documents and rules to ensure compliance

3. The Sale Process: Initial Sales and Resales
o Sales Process Navigation: Examine the journey from developer sales to unit owner transactions
o Legal Considerations: Discuss critical legal factors that impact resale transactions and buyer disclosures

Sugarman served as the course planner for this PBI program and presented on the important and unique aspects of the sales process under Pennsylvania’s Uniform Condominium Act and Uniform Planned Community Act.

A community association law attorney for more than 40 years, Sugarman has played a critical role in establishing statutory and decisional law governing Pennsylvania’s common interest communities (CICs). As the chair and active member of the Community Association Institute’s (CAI) Legislative Action Committee for many years, Sugarman drafted and advocated for key amendments to Pennsylvania’s statutes. He also serves as an expert witness on community association matters brought before Pennsylvania’s courts and General Assembly.

A member of the prestigious College of Community Association Lawyers since 2000 and a past president of CAI’s Keystone Chapter, Sugarman developed and teaches one of the few law school courses nationwide on condominium and homeowner association law as an adjunct professor at the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. He is a frequent lecturer at the local and national levels on community association matters.