Section 10. Definitions

Part I
General

Section 55-528 of the Code of Virginia provides definitions of the following terms and phrases as used in this chapter:

Association

Board

Common interest community

Declaration

Director

Governing board

Lot

Section 55-79.41 of the Code of Virginia provides definition of the following term as used in this chapter:

Condominium instruments

The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Adverse decision" or "final adverse decision" means the final determination issued by an association pursuant to an association complaint procedure that is opposite of, or does not provide for, either wholly or in part, the cure or corrective action sought by the complainant. Such decision means all avenues for internal appeal under the association complaint procedure have been exhausted. The date of the final adverse decision shall be the date of the notice issued pursuant to subdivisions 8 and 9 of 18VAC48-70-50.

"Association complaint" means a written complaint filed by a member of the association or citizen pursuant to an association complaint procedure. An association complaint shall concern a matter regarding the action, inaction, or decision by the governing board, managing agent, or association inconsistent with applicable laws and regulations.

"Association complaint procedure" means the written process adopted by an association to receive and consider association complaints from members and citizens. The complaint procedure shall include contact information for the Office of the Common Interest Community Ombudsman in accordance with § 55-530 of the Code of Virginia. An appeal process, if applicable, shall be set out in an association complaint procedure adopted by the association, including relevant timeframes for filing the request for appeal. If no appeal process is available, the association complaint procedure shall indicate that no appeal process is available and that the rendered decision is final.

"Association governing documents" means collectively the applicable organizational documents, including but not limited to the current and effective (i) articles of incorporation, declaration, and bylaws of a property owners' association, (ii) condominium instruments of a condominium, and (iii) declaration and bylaws of a real estate cooperative, all as may be amended from time to time. Association governing documents also include, to the extent in existence, resolutions, rules and regulations, or other guidelines governing association member conduct and association governance.

"Complainant" means an association member or citizen who makes a written complaint pursuant to an association complaint procedure.

"Record of complaint" means all documents, correspondence, and other materials related to a decision made pursuant to an association complaint procedure.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 28, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2012.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-2349 and 55-530 of the Code of Virginia.