5318 - Conveyance or encumbrance of common facilities.
§ 5318. Conveyance or encumbrance of common facilities. (a) General rule.--Portions of the common facilities may be conveyed or subjected to a security interest by the association if the persons entitled to cast at least 80% of the votes in the association, including 80% of the votes allocated to units not owned by a declarant, or any larger percentage the declaration specifies agree to that action; but the owners of units to which any limited common facility is allocated must agree in order to convey that limited common facility or subject it to a security interest. The declaration may specify a smaller percentage only if all of the units are restricted exclusively to nonresidential uses. Proceeds of the sale are an asset of the association. (b) Required agreement.--An agreement to convey common facilities or subject them to a security interest shall be evidenced by the execution of an agreement or ratifications of the agreement, in the same manner as a deed, by the requisite number of unit owners. The agreement must specify a date after which the agreement will be void unless recorded before that date. The agreement and all ratifications shall be recorded in every county in which a portion of the planned community is situated and is effective only upon recording. (c) Association powers.--The association on behalf of the unit owners may contract to convey common facilities or subject them to a security interest, but the contract is not enforceable against the association until approved under subsections (a) and (b). Thereafter, the association has all powers necessary and appropriate to effect the conveyance or encumbrance, including the power to execute deeds or other instruments. (d) Other conveyances or encumbrances void.--Any purported conveyance, encumbrance, judicial sale or other voluntary transfer of common facilities, unless made pursuant to this section, is void. (e) Right of access and support.--A conveyance or encumbrance of common facilities pursuant to this section does not deprive any unit of its right of access and support. (f) Preexisting encumbrances.--Unless the declaration otherwise provides, a conveyance or encumbrance of common facilities pursuant to this section does not affect the priority or validity of preexisting encumbrances. (g) Limitation.--Common facilities which may be conveyed or encumbered pursuant to this section shall not include any land, buildings or other facilities: (1) containing or comprising one or more units; or (2) necessary for the use or operation of one or more units. Cross References. Section 5318 is referred to in sections 5302, 5319 of this title.