Property owners in a gated community in Watauga County are dealing with a case of David vs Goliath in what could set a precedent for other property owners in the state. An ongoing contested case between Twin Rivers Property Owners Association (POA) in Foscoe, outside of Boone, and the state’s Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) surrounds […]
62 chickens in the backyard? NC Supreme Court to decide whether they’re poultry or pets
What makes an animal a pet? That they come when called? The way they curl up and rest in your lap while you watch TV? Or that they’ll ride in the car with you — for a morning coffee or on trips to Hilton Head Island? Mary Schroeder had this and more with what she […]
This should be public record (NC)
I submitted a public records request for information about an “independent review” of what the city calls a claim against the city by the Covent Gardens Homeowners Association. As a High Point taxpayer and member of the HOA, I was concerned about how much taxpayer money was spent on this “independent review,” who conducted this […]
Fight over chickens goes to NC Supreme Court for final ruling
It’s not a chicken fight, it’s a fight over chickens. A Union County woman has been in a battle with her HOA for years. For Mary Schroeder, they aren’t just birds, they’re her pets. Schroeder and her family moved into their Waxhaw dream home in 2017. Before they moved in, she says they were told […]
Brunswick County representative co-sponsors bipartisan HOA reform bill (NC)
Rep. Frank Iler (R-Brunswick) is backing a new bill to increase transparency and oversight requirements for homeowner associations after pledging to continue earlier efforts stymied by industry pushback. Along with Rep. Ya Liu (D-Wake) and Rep. Mitchell Setzer (R-Catawba), Iler introduced H.B. 444 last week, which includes broad-ranging provisions to reform homeowner association regulations in […]
Brunswick County representative co-sponsors bipartisan HOA reform bill (NC)
Rep. Frank Iler (R-Brunswick) is backing a new bill to increase transparency and oversight requirements for homeowner associations after pledging to continue earlier efforts stymied by industry pushback. Along with Rep. Ya Liu (D-Wake) and Rep. Mitchell Setzer (R-Catawba), Iler introduced H.B. 444 last week, which includes broad-ranging provisions to reform homeowner association regulations in […]
Charlotte HOA Wants $10,000 Back After Paying Wrong Community’s Water Bills for Two Years (NC)
A mix-up in Charlotte, North Carolina left one HOA paying $10,000 in water bills that belonged to their next-door neighbors. Now they’re trying to get their money back. Board member Andrew Page discovered the mistake while reviewing accounts. The Bennington Place II HOA had been paying water bills for Bennington Place I, a completely different […]
Homeowner faces big penalty after unknowingly breaking HOA rules
A homeowner says she was worried some of her trees might fall so she took them down, but she didn’t realize she needed approval from her Homeowners Association (HOA) first. Now, the board is requiring her to spend tens of thousands of dollars in yard work or face fines. We’ll call her Michelle. She asked […]
A Busy Week for HOA and Condo Proposals! (NC)
Yesterday, House Bill 444 (the “Homeowners Association Reform Bill”) was introduced. (For details, see What House Bill 444 Would Mean for North Carolina Condominium & Homeowners Associations). Today, the trend continued with the filing of Senate Bill 378 (“HOA Revisions”). Read the article…………………………….
HOA that covers neighborhood’s water bills discovers it was paying someone else’s bill too (NC)
It’s a story of two neighborhoods in Steele Creek. Bennington Place I and Bennington Place II are next to each other and similar, but separate. Andrew Page lives in Bennington Place II. He told Action 9 investigator Jason Stoogenke that the way his community is structured, the Homeowners Association (HOA) pays the water bills for […]
NC Community Association Legislative Update – March 18, 2025
Today, Tuesday, March 18, House Bill 444 (the “Homeowners Association Reform Bill”) was filed. This is the first bill in the new two-year legislative session that, if adopted, would impact North Carolina homeowner and condominium associations. Read the article…………………………….
Lawsuit against Hedingham HOA, security contractor can proceed, judge rules (NC)
A judge on Friday denied dismissing a lawsuit against the security company and the homeowners association of the Hedingham neighborhood in Raleigh in response to an October 2022 mass shooting in the neighborhood. Read the article…………………………….
Local woman says fight with HOA over $400 cost her family their home (NC)
A Union County woman says a dispute with her Homeowners Association (HOA) over a few hundred dollars in unpaid dues cost her family their home. Taylor Sanders was living in Weddington Hills in 2020. She admits she owed dues to her HOA. According to HOA records, she owned $400. “They said it hadn’t been paid […]
ABC11 Troubleshooter helps homeowners get HOA to fix their drainage issues: ‘Flood right here’ (NC)
Raleigh homeowners say drainage issues have caused damage to their properties, and they say their homeowners’ association should take care of it. Kelley Poskitt said, “I would have a flood right here.” Her neighbor Lori Rodgers told Troubleshooter Diane Wilson she also had problems in her yard, “The water line, you could see this whole […]
Legal battle between Fayetteville and HOAs over breached dams continues as city rejects settlement offer (NC)
A legal drama spanning nearly seven years between the City of Fayetteville and four homeowners associations with private dams that breached during Hurricane Matthew shows no sign of stopping, as the city rejected a settlement offer from the plaintiffs on Monday. Read the article…………………………….
Judge hears case against Hedingham HOA, security company (NC)
In the aftermath of a tragic shooting spree in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood, families of the victims have filed a lawsuit against multiple parties, including the security company that had an armed officer in the community as the shots rang out. Video news report……………………..
Raleigh mass shooting: Security company, HOA want families’ lawsuit thrown out (NC)
After five people were shot and killed in a spree that started in an east Raleigh neighborhood, their families blamed the alleged shooter’s parents, the community security contractor and the homeowners’ association, saying they should have known and prevented the threat. Read the article…………………………….
Treasury Halts Corporate Transparency Act Enforcement for U.S. Businesses
On Friday we posted FinCEN Pauses Corporate Transparency Act Reporting Penalties Pending New Rule. By Sunday, the death spiral that appears to be the CTA continued, as the US Treasury Department announced suspension of enforcement of penalties and fines under the Act’s beneficial ownership reporting requirements for U.S. citizens and domestic reporting companies. This decision […]
FinCEN Pauses Corporate Transparency Act Reporting Penalties Pending New Rule
On Thursday, February 27, FinCEN announced that it does not plan to issue fines, penalties, or take enforcement action against companies that miss deadlines for filing or updating Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) under the Corporate Transparency Act. No penalties will be applied until new interim final rules takes effect. Read the article…………………………….
Homeowners in Rock Hill’s Riverwalk community planning to rally over property defects (NC)
Some homeowners in Rock Hill, South Carolina are frustrated over what they say has been a years-long fight against property defects in the Riverwalk community that have yet to be fixed. They say they’ve made complaints to the builder – who’s also the property owner. They also say they’ve made multiple complaints to the city […]
Brunswick homeowners lose battle to gate community (NC)
One Southport community hopes to shut its doors to the public amid major residential development approvals nearby. The Cades Cove Homeowners Association in Southport requested changes to its community to lock out nonresidents and get control over its streets. However, city aldermen decided not to gate. Read the article…………………………….
Moss Creek homeowners triumph over rec center disaster after months of struggle (NC)
Tucked away in the Moss Creek community just north of Highway 150, the Miller House has long been a place of relaxation and camaraderie for the neighborhood’s 50 homeowners. But that all changed when a burst pipe back in December of 2023 flooded the 2,200-square-foot recreation center, leaving it in severe disrepair. Read the article…………………………….
Software used by 50,000 HOAs updates privacy policy after man discovered ‘bad security practices’
Despite the curious wording of its privacy policy, a company used by 50,000 homeowners associations said it will never sell people’s personal information. In response to WCNC Charlotte’s reporting, CINC Systems, an HOA account and software management company, has pledged to better communicate its commitment to data privacy. Read the article…………………………….
High Point homeowner stuck in middle of fight to fix sink hole
A High Point man is dealing with a growing sinkhole in his backyard, but what’s even more frustrating is that he’s unsure who is responsible for fixing it. The issue is a damaged stormwater drainage pipe. Hamdy Eltokhy said he has spent the last three weeks searching for answers. He’s reached out to plumbers, the […]
Kernersville homeowner overcomes sign dispute with builder, HOA (NC)
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 […]