Sussex legislators from both parties meet to discuss homeowners issues

Two Delaware General Assembly members came together Feb. 7 in a bipartisan effort to address issues of growing concern to existing and new homeowners in Sussex County.

Lewes resident Sanjay Ohri, an experienced homeowners association leader, said he had reached out to area elected officials regarding questions related to the Delaware Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act, which applies to condominiums, cooperatives, planned unit communities and timeshares.

As a result of their meeting, Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, and Rep. Valerie Jones Giltner, R-Georgetown, agreed to work together with their colleagues to help draft legislation to benefit homeowners. Among the issues they discussed together with Ohri were transparency in dues/fees, budget approval processes, board elections, HOA education/awareness for homeowners and aspiring board members, oversight, grievance handling via the state ombudsman’s office, and state and county coordination.

“This is a first-of-its-kind effort to handle these issues, and they can't be resolved overnight, but the efforts of the elected officials to work across the aisle in this endeavor are appreciated,” said Ohri. He said the meeting was cordial and productive, and a follow-up session is being planned.