In this Chapter, the following words and phrases have the following meanings:
(a) Condominium; condominium regime. "Condominium" and "condominium regime" mean properly established as a condominium regime under title 11, Real Property Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(b) Condominium unit; unit. "Condominium unit:" and "unit" mean a three-dimensional space identified as such in the declaration and on the condominium plat the boundaries of which are established in accordance with title 11, Real Property Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. A unit may include two (2) or more noncontiguous spaces.
(c) Conversion. "Conversion" means the subjection of a property which was previously rental property to a condominium regime.
(d) Department. "Department" means the Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
(e) Developer. "Developer" means any person who subjects his/her property to a condominium regime.
(f) Director. "Director" means the Director of the Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
(g) Landlord. "Landlord" means the owner, the owner's agent, lessor or sublessor of the dwelling unit or the property of which it is a part and, in addition, means any person authorized to exercise any aspect of the management of the premises except those persons engaged solely in custodial and maintenance functions.
(h) Local government. "Local government" means the County or a housing agency designated by the County.
(i) Person. "Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, organization or any other legal entity.
(j) Real Property Article. "Real Property Article" means the Real Property Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(k) Rental facility. "Rental facility" means any structure, or combination of related structures and appurtenances, operated as a single entity, in which the operator provides for a consideration 2 or more dwelling units; rental facility does not mean any transient facility such as a boarding house, tourist home, inn, motel, hotel, school dormitory, hospital, medical facility, or any facility operated for religious or eleemosynary purposes.
(l) Tenant organization. "Tenant organization" means a bona fide association of resident tenants of a rental facility, certified by the Department as representing at least 30 percent, or 5 units, whichever is the greater number, of units occupied by tenants of the rental facility.
(m) Transfer; transfer of title. "Transfer" and "transfer of title" mean (1) the transfer of legal title to a rental facility, or (2) transfer of substantial ownership or beneficial interests, or both, in the general or limited partnerships, corporations, trusts or any combination thereof which hold the legal title to the rental facility. The transfer of substantial ownership or beneficial interests means the transfer within a one-year period of a total of 51 percent or more of the ownership of the partnerships, stock in the corporations, beneficial interests in the trust or any combination thereof. (1982 L.M.C., ch. 2, § 1; 1996 L.M.C., ch. 13, § 1.)