A Kernersville homeowner, Tom Campbell, recently navigated a challenging situation involving his new home, a local builder, and a homeowners association. The conflict began after Campbell displayed a cardboard cutout in his truck window, offering a personal take on his home-building experience. Read the article…………………………….
Family says HOA had no authority to give easement for trail, sues Village of Marvin to give it back (NC)
A family says the Village of Marvin wants to build a path through the Marvin Creek neighborhood. Tori Comiskey and her husband say their Homeowners Association gave village leaders the easement to do so. But they say, legally, the board didn’t have the authority to convey an easement. “It says it really clearly in our […]
How HOA Board Members Can Avoid Cyber Fraud (NC)
Homeowner’s Associations (HOAs) have become prime targets for cybercriminals. Why? HOAs often handle large amounts of money but may use less stringent security measures. This makes them an appealing opportunity for cybercriminals who exploit vulnerabilities in vendor networks, email systems, and other communication platforms. Read the article…………………………….
US Supreme Court Greenlights Corporate Transparency Act Enforcement
In the ongoing ping-pong game that is the Corporate Transparency Act, today (January 23) the US Supreme Court has allowed the government to enforce the CTA, which requires businesses to disclose their beneficial ownership information. Read the article…………………………….
Vandalism in Seven Lakes North Being Investigated (NC)
Authorities are investigating a reported vandalism in the Seven Lakes community after two homeowner association officials found nails and screws in their driveway on Saturday. In an email from the Seven Lakes Landowners Association to its residents, the president and treasurer from the association were targeted Friday night or early morning on Saturday with, “hundreds […]
Why a Charlotte couple is on the verge of losing their home over a $100 HOA fine (NC)
Jeffrey Baldwin paid his homeowners association dues on time for over 15 years. So when he went online to pay his annual $700 fee in January 2023, he was shocked to see a request for thousands of dollars. The money accumulated, he discovered, due to a $100 fine for having a vehicle parked in front […]
People are rushing to install solar panels before Trump becomes President (NC)
The solar power industry is growing fast, accounting for more than half of all new electricity on the grid last year. But soon President-elect Trump and fellow Republicans in Congress may try to reduce or eliminate government incentives that have driven much of that growth. Read the article…………………………….
Seven New Year’s Resolutions for Board Members: Setting Your Community Up for Success
A new year offers homeowner’s association (HOA) board members an excellent opportunity to reflect on past achievements and set meaningful goals for the future. By adopting proactive strategies and focusing on key resolutions, your board can improve community engagement, ensure compliance, and foster a harmonious living environment. Read the article…………………………….
Deer are driving a Durham neighborhood apart. Should hunting them in the city be easier? (NC)
In a quiet country-club community on the northern edge of Durham, the deer population has exploded in recent decades, and it’s driving neighbors apart. “Numerous times, deer have darted in front of my car while I’m driving my kids to school,” Katherine Jackson said. “And twice, we’ve removed ticks from my husband.” Read the article…………………………….
UPDATE: Corporate Transparency Act Compliance Back on Hold
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) is once again on hold. On December 26, 2024, a Fifth Circuit panel reinstated a nationwide injunction blocking enforcement of the CTA, just days after another panel lifted it. This ongoing legal back-and-forth has created significant uncertainty for compliance efforts nationwide. Read the article…………………………….
Corporate Transparency Act Back on Hold (For Now) (NC/SC)
If this feels like legal “whack-a-mole,” you’re not alone! Yesterday, Thursday, December 26, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order vacating its earlier decision to stay the District Court’s preliminary injunction, which had enjoined the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act’s (CTA) compliance reporting deadlines. Read the article…………………………….
10 displaced after (condo) building fire in Raleigh
10 people were displaced after an apartment building fire the day after Christmas in Raleigh It happened Thursday around 10 a.m. at Sandy Forks Place Condominiums. This is on Sandy Forks Road, just off Falls of Neuse Road. According to Raleigh Fire Department, 40 firefighters were sent to put out the blaze. They found the […]
Corporate Transparency Act Reinstated by Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
A prior post, Corporate Transparency Act Blocked Nationwide by Texas Federal Court, reported that on December 3, Judge Amos L. Mazzant III of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a preliminary nationwide injunction against the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The post also advised staying informed, as the compliance deadline of […]
Mebane homeowner appealing dismissal of city as defendant to lawsuit over parking dispute in Manorfield subdivision (NC)
A Mebane homeowner is asking the state Court of Appeals to overturn a visiting special superior court judge’s decision to dismiss the city of Mebane as a defendant to his suit earlier this year, over what he contends is an illegal parking prohibition against residents parking in three common areas at Manorfield subdivision. Read the […]
Builder turns over HOA to homeowners, some neighbors clash (NC)
The builder of a fairly new neighborhood recently turned over the Homeowners Association (HOA) to the homeowners, and there’s been drama. In July, the developer turned the HOA over to the people living in Fox Chase in Denver. Nick Cox has been very vocal against the board. “Emotionally, I’m deflated,” he said. “Has just been […]
New lawsuit filed in Hedingham legal battle in wake of 2022 Raleigh mass shooting (NC)
A lawsuit was filed on Wednesday by H.R.W, the management company of the Hedingham homeowners association, denying any liability in the October 13, 2022 mass shooting that ended in five people dead and two others injured. Read the article…………………………….
Security company countersues Hedingham Community Association over 2022 mass shooting (NC)
The private security company hired to patrol the Hedingham neighborhood, Capitol Special Police, has filed a countersuit against the Hedingham Community Association (HOA). Court documents reveal that Capitol Special Police argues the HOA had the primary responsibility to ensure residents’ safety. Read the article…………………………….
FinCEN Issues Key Guidance on Corporate Transparency Act Filings
Last week, we shared an update (Corporate Transparency Act Blocked Nationwide by Texas Federal Court) on Judge Mazzant of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issuing a preliminary nationwide injunction against the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), effectively halting its enforcement nationwide. Naturally, this decision has raised many questions, including, “What does […]
5 Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Holiday Season in Your Community
As the holiday season approaches, homeowners’ associations (HOAs) have an opportunity to foster a festive and harmonious environment. With careful planning and clear communication, board members can ensure that all residents enjoy the season while staying safe and compliant with community standards. Here are five essential tips for creating a joyful holiday experience in your […]
Small debts, big losses: The data work and reporting behind uncovering the impact of HOA foreclosures in North Carolina
In this edition of We Mean Business: “How They Did It,” Ananya Bhargava interviews Ames Alexander and David Raynor about their recent award-winning investigative series “Hopes Foreclosed.” This investigation uncovered how often HOAs in North Carolina are foreclosing on homeowners. It revealed not only a troubling trend of HOA foreclosures in the region but how […]
Corporate Transparency Act Blocked Nationwide by Texas Federal Court
Judge Amos L. Mazzant III of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a preliminary nationwide injunction against the CTA after a lawsuit filed by Texas Top Cop Shop Inc., other businesses, and the Libertarian Party of Mississippi. The case is Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc. v. Garland, E.D. Tex., No. […]
I’ve owned my North Carolina townhouse since 2023 — but now my HOA is charging me $13K for hailstorm damage that happened 2 years before I bought. What are my legal options?
When you buy a home, you’re responsible for the costs associated with it. This means that if issues are left undiscovered following an inspection, you might still have no choice but to foot the bill after you take ownership. And this holds true whether you’re buying a traditional home or a house or condo that’s […]
War over windows: Charlotte homeowner wins 5-year fight with HOA, gets $75K settlement (NC)
After a five-year fight with the homeowners association in her Lake Wylie neighborhood, Sherry Loeffler has scored a rare victory: a legal settlement with an HOA. The dispute began in 2019, when Loeffler submitted plans to have new vinyl windows installed on her townhome, which the HOA for the Yachtsman on Lake Wylie community approved. […]
Groups of Fayetteville’s lakeside residents win appeal against the city in stormwater system lawsuit (NC)
A group of homeowners’ associations in Fayetteville is plotting their next steps after winning an appeal in their lawsuit against the city over stormwater damage to lakes and dams in the neighborhoods. Read the article…………………………….
How residents can receive FEMA assistance for private roads, bridges (NC)
If an individual had a privately-owned road or bridge damaged or destroyed by Helene, federal assistance may be available for replacement or repairs, according to a press release from FEMA. Read the article…………………………….
Why HOA reform failed to pass NC General Assembly this session
In the complex tapestry of legislative processes, the passage or failure of a bill often hinges on a multitude of intertwined factors. House Bill 542, which dealt with giving homeowners more rights and power regarding homeowners associations (HOAs), is a vivid illustration of how political dynamics, public opinion, and stakeholder influences converge to determine a […]
North Topsail HOA refuses to repair leaking roof, couple left with extensive water damage (NC)
After Tropical Storm Debby two months ago, Jeff Wells and Jana Passe discovered water leaking from the roof into their condo at Topsail Dunes Villas on New River Inlet Road. The couple contacted CAMS Property Management, and a remediation company set up dehumidifiers to prevent mold. The HOA told the couple the roof was patched, […]
Victims’ families of Raleigh mass shooting file lawsuit against accused shooter, his parents and HOA (NC)
The families of victims of the Raleigh mass shooting in the Hedingham neighborhood filed a lawsuit on Friday against the shooter’s father and other parties for their response. The lawsuit named the Hedingham Community Association, Capitol Special Police LLC, the accused shooter, Austin Thompson, and his parents, Alan Thompson and Elise Thompson, as defendants. Read […]
The Cockaboose Corp. is the coolest HOA ever — and it’ll throw a yellow flag if needed
The Mona Lisas of Columbia reside on an old rail line. They are the 22 Cockabooses, the greatest tailgating contraptions ever conceived by the human brain. By now, the story is well-known — how Ed Robinson and his wife, Cathy, came up with the idea, purchased the unused train tracks just outside Williams-Brice Stadium, acquired […]
Cary homeowner’s jackhammering of trail entrance sparks dispute over its access (NC)
Ultimately, it will be up to a civil court to figure out who has the right to this space – Keith Myers or the residents – after the developer gave the space to the neighborhood homeowner’s association (HOA) through an easement more than 30 years ago. Read the article…………………………….
Homeowners question $1.2 million assessment pushed by HOA (NC)
A group of homeowners in the Beverly Crest neighborhood question claims from their homeowner association that the community pool could close unless they pay $1.2 million to fix and upgrade it. As WBTV started investigating and requesting records, the HOA announced the plan was put on pause. The concerns raised by homeowners about the lack […]
Crews battle condo fire on Tryon Drive in Fayetteville (NC)
Several firefighters responded after a fire broke out inside a condo in Fayetteville on Tuesday. According to a news release, crews with the Fayetteville Fire Department were sent at around 11:17 a.m. to a report of an apartment fire in the area of Tryon Drive. When firefighters arrived, they found a fire burning inside a […]
New laws help home builders save money, but with big risks (NC)
The influence of the home builders was demonstrated this week as Republican lawmakers overrode Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 166, which reshapes the state Building Code Council. It shrinks the council from 17 to 13 members, removes the requirement that two architects be members and gives more control to contractors. The override of […]
Can I put political signs in my yard? Gastonia attorney explains HOA rules (NC)
It’s easy to get sidetracked while buying a new house, and there are the things new homeowners may not think about. It’s called Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, or CC&RS. It was that huge packet you were supposed to read before you purchased your home. Read the article…………………………….
Greensboro families stuck paying HOA, insurance fees more than a year after home destroyed in fire
The waiting game isn’t just costing one group of condo owners time. It’s also wracking up a considerable price tag since the condo building along Lawndale Drive burned down in March of 2023. Todd and Kim Trifari remember the day well. Neither one was in Greensboro, but their sons called and Facetimed them, sharing videos […]
A Greensboro woman calls WFMY News 2 after dispute with HOA and plumbing bills (NC)
Debra Richert wasn’t exactly sure what was going on. Almost every morning she would walk outside her townhome and notice water flowing down the street. “My water bill was not going up but water was going onto the road,” Richert said. The water was starting to sit in an area by her front porch before […]
EI commissioners will meet with Cape Emerald Homeowners Association to discuss stormwater problems (NC)
Emerald Isle commissioners have scheduled a special session Tuesday, Oct. 8 to meet with the Cape Emerald Homeowners Association (HOA) to discuss stormwater flow and proposed improvements within the low-lying flood-prone gated subdivision off Coast Guard Road. Read the article…………………………….
Greensboro neighbors concerned about speeding in neighborhood (NC)
Residents of the River Hills Plantation neighborhood in Greensboro are worried after their once peaceful street has become a hotspot for speeding and reckless driving. Recent footage captured by community members shows a green muscle car speeding down Cardinal Ridge Drive, ignoring the 25 mph speed limit. The video highlights a troubling trend of high-speed […]
New report outlines ideas to address threatened oceanfront homes on North Carolina’s coast
The waves washed against the wooden pilings of a handful of houses in Rodanthe Tuesday afternoon. The same question has been top of mind for many locals: “What can be done to stop these structures from falling into the ocean and creating a public safety risk?” Read the article…………………………….
Erosion leaves Mount Holly townhomes on the edge (NC)
When Christina Hunt opens her back door, she immediately looks down at a muddy ravine…..The HOA pulled down a rotten wooden retaining wall that had been in place, but the work to build a concrete retaining wall didn’t happen fast enough. Heavy rain on Monday furthered the erosion, leaving an abrupt drop off just a […]
Fayetteville proposes fix for private dam as part of city’s stormwater management strategy (NC)
During his presentation at the August work session, Talian addressed the unique challenges posed by the city working on a private dam, such as the neighborhood’s consent to work on it and the extent of the homeowners association’s involvement in the city’s fix. “One other thing I should probably mention is that Arran Lakes [West] […]
Homeowners concerned after rain washes out work to repair retaining wall (NC)
Homeowners in Mount Holly are concerned they will lose even more of their backyards after rain washed out work being done to reinforce a retaining wall. Residents said they have been left with a muddy mess while crews wait for it to dry out. Read the article…………………………….
HOA and Maple Heights neighborhood go back and forth on management style (NC)
A neighborhood is filled with people decrying the communication between homeowners and the homeowners association; however, management says their efforts are in the name of keeping the neighborhood standard consistent. “Homeowners in this area take care of their property, so don’t nobody have to threaten us to get something done,” said Robert Johnson. “I didn’t […]
City of Fayetteville, homeowners dispute over who should fix road damaged by Debby (NC)
Homeowners are fighting with the City of Fayetteville over who should fix a washed-out road after Tropical Storm Debby. A portion of Siple Avenue collapsed after the dam under the road breached during the storm. There is a lot of debate over who should be responsible for repairs. The City of Fayetteville said it’s a […]
‘People can get in’: Building where Michael Jordan, Cam Newton and LaMelo Bell own condos has security lapses (NC)
Michael Jordan, Cam Newton and LaMelo Ball all own luxury condos valued at millions of dollars inside an exclusive Uptown building, yet a WCNC Charlotte investigation found The Trust has serious safety gaps that have allowed people who don’t live there to easily gain access. In response, the building’s management company is pledging significant security […]
After battle with regulators, Flock Safety can install surveillance cameras across NC
The company that supplies the most surveillance cameras to continuously record details about vehicles driven across North Carolina is now licensed to install more. Atlanta tech firm Flock Safety secured a business license last month to install and maintain compact cameras across the state, after a years-long battle with state regulators. The cameras automatically capture […]
Woman dies after south Charlotte condo fire; CMPD investigating homicide (NC)
Charlotte-Mecklenburg homicide detectives are now investigating after the victim in a fire at a south Charlotte condominium died from her injuries on Tuesday. Members of the CFD’s Fire Investigation Task Force along with CMPD Arson detectives determined the fire was intentionally set, and the case has now been ruled a homicide. Read the article…………………………….
Homeowners fighting for HOA bank records (NC)
Homeowners in Weddington Pointe have watched their annual dues increase by $500 annually since they moved into the newly constructed community in 2021. There’s not a whole lot of options for residents to fight against the rising costs though because their homeowner association is not under homeowner control. “Since it was still under the developer’s […]
Lobbyist-written building code law could increase homeowner insurance, limit grant opportunities (NC)
A diverse group of public officials is calling to overturn the state’s ban on building code updates ahead of hurricane season. They argue the policy will threaten public safety, cut down federal grant funding, and increase homeowner insurance costs. Read the article…………………………….
Fairfield Harbour residents protest $6.5 million clubhouse, asks POA board for voting rights (NC)
Dozens of Fairfield Harbour residents conducted a non-violent protest on July 23 outside the Fairfield Harbor Property Owners Association (FHPOA) office to ask that the board of directors hear their concerns regarding the moving forward of a $6.5 million clubhouse. One resident, John Glenowicz, said a peaceful protest outside the boardroom office felt like their […]