Washington, DC—HALT, which publishes a line of legal self-help publications that empower citizens to handle their own simple legal affairs, recently released a resource that explains the legal side of owning a home within a condominium, cooperative or homeowners association. The Citizens Legal Guide Condos, Co-ops & Homeowners Associations: What You Need to Know is available for free on HALT's Web site.

An estimated 50 million Americans live in community associations-the umbrella term for housing developments in which individual owners are bound by contract to a set of rules, which an elected board of directors typically enforces. As this number continues to explode, consumers need plain-language information about the rights and responsibilities of community association homeowners.

"By purchasing a residence within an association, you are also signing on to a tightly regulated style of living," says author Kristin Weber. "A boom in such a new and different style of homeownership indicates that a lot of people are looking for quality information about what is expected of them in a community association-and what they can expect in return." The booklet explains the legal side of owning a residence in a community association and arms consumers with the information they need to ensure that living in a community association is a positive experience.

HALT cautions consumers to investigate an association—and its requirements—before purchasing a home within it. The resource also offers guidance on how to handle a conflict with a board member or neighbor.

HALT's 8-page Citizens Legal Guides are the newest additions to HALT's selection of self-help publications. The new booklets supplement HALT's existing range of resources, which includes brief brochures and handouts along with Citizens Legal Manuals, full-length books that offer detailed information on a legal topic, such as legal research, probate or small claims court.

Because it receives thousands of letters through its Legal Information Clearinghouse, HALT is uniquely positioned to identify legal consumers' needs. Each publication HALT creates fills a gap in the existing publications for legal consumers. All of HALT's articles, brochures and Citizens Legal Guides are offered to consumers for free on the Internet and by mail.

Founded in 1978, HALT—An Organization of Americans for Legal Reform is a nonpartisan, nonprofit public interest organization. HALT pursues an aggressive education and advocacy program that challenges the legal establishment to improve access and accountability and reduce costs in the civil justice system. Please visit www.halt.org for more information.