The Office of the Common Interest Community Ombudsman

The Office of the Common Interest Community Ombudsman was established by the 2008 General Assembly and was created to:

• Assist members in understanding and exercising their rights in resolving issues with their Associations (condominiums, property owners' association, time-shares, and cooperatives).

• Issue non-binding explanations of laws and regulations governing Associations.

• Offer referrals to alternative dispute resolution services.

• Assist members in using the procedures and processes available to them in their association, including nonbinding explanations of laws or regulations governing common interest communities or interpretations thereof by the Board.

• Once regulations are in effect - the process is underway and expected to be complete by summer 2010 - the Ombudsman will receive notices of adverse decision from constituents who allege an Association governing body violated legal requirements (Virginia statutes or regulations).

• Such complaint notices must be filed within 30 days of an Association's final adverse decision, must be submitted in writing on Board forms (to be developed through the regulatory process), and must include a $25 filing fee (statutory requirement).