As the short session continues and the legislature continues to negotiate House Bill 542 with interested parties, a new bill was introduced on May 1, 2024 by Representatives Frank Iler, Steve Tyson and Ya Liu. Read the article…………………………….
Neighbors watching neighbors? HOA vehicle surveillance irks some in NC neighborhood
By all accounts, the controversy over surveillance at Princeton Manor began at a pool party last summer. “Personally frustrated” by a string of car break-ins and a recent burglary in the Knightdale subdivision, a member of the homeowners association board struck up a conversation with a Knightdale police officer at the event, asking what else […]
Waterford Residential Community awarded CAI Seal of Distinction (NC)
The Board of Directors of Waterford Master Residential Association has announced that the Community Association Institute of North Carolina (CAI-NC) has awarded Waterford Residential Community in Leland with its Seal of Distinction for 2024-2025, once again honoring this self-governing development of 1,010 homes for recognizing, funding and following best practice standards in community management. Read […]
Unhappy neighbors. Vacant lots. NC community for ‘patriots’ off to a rocky start
When developers launched 1776 Gastonia, the 55-plus housing community for “patriots,” in the Charlotte area last year, they said it was just the beginning of a “grassroots movement.” With street names like Paul Revere Drive and Constitution Lane, 1776 Gastonia invokes vague stars-and-stripes imagery to appeal to its target audience: patriotic citizens looking to achieve […]
Family fighting keep chickens as pets in Waxhaw neighborhood (NC)
A Union County family that was fined for keeping chickens as pets has scored a big win. The family was originally located in a Waxhaw neighborhood. However, neighborhood rules said they couldn’t own poultry, but they could have household pets as long as you don’t make money off of them. Read the article…………………………….
Coastal property owners yet to embrace roof-girding grants (NC)
Maybe one North Carolina insurance provider should join the industry trend and advertise: “Hello Beach Plan policyholders! Do you need a new roof? Want to save on your property insurance? How about we help you out with as much as $8,000 toward a much stronger roof that is fortified to withstand storms? And don’t worry […]
‘Sick to my stomach’: Neighbors demand answers from HOA over flag violations (NC)
Nickey Crowley says for the last 20 years, he’s flown a gay pride flag outside his home in Holly Park with no issue. Then in September of last year, he received a violation saying that flag did not comply with the rules set out by the homeowners association. “Why now, is my pride flag an […]
Downtown Asheville condo owners file lawsuit after illegal Airbnbs play ‘hide and seek’ (NC)
Downtown homeowners who lived next to nine illegal Airbnbs have filed a lawsuit against the owners of the short-term rental units, alleging the practice violated homeowner association covenants established for the 17 North Market St. building. Read the article…………………………….
Southern Shores community protests doubled sewer bill (NC)
Almost two dozen residents from Southern Shores Landing attended a hearing with the North Carolina Utilities Commission to protest a monthly sewage rate increase from $90 to $180. The community, which is serviced by the Ginguite Woods wastewater system, has 38 single family homes. The homeowners’ association president Wayne Avery said that 30 of these […]
Downtown Asheville condo owners file lawsuit after illegal Airbnbs play ‘hide and seek’ (NC)
Downtown homeowners who lived next to nine illegal Airbnbs have filed a lawsuit against the owners of the short-term rental units, alleging the practice violated homeowner association covenants established for the 17 North Market St. building. The lawsuit, filed March 27 in Buncombe County Superior Court, alleges owners who listed units on the Airbnb website […]
HOA looks to fine Mooresville man $100 a day over patio lights (NC)
A Mooresville man risks getting fined $100 a day from his homeowners association for his backyard lights. It’s something he said has not been a problem, so he reached out to WCNC Charlotte hoping to get answers. Read the article…………………………….
Court sides with homeowners in NC ski country who want short-term rentals
After a homeowners association in the North Carolina High Country tried to block short-term rentals during ski season, a court has ruled against the HOA. The Reserve II sits feet from the slopes on the top of Sugar Mountain in Avery County. Jeff and Martha Wells have had their home there for more than 10 […]
‘Sick to my stomach’: Neighbors demand answers from HOA over flag violations (NC)
Nickey Crowley says for the last 20 years, he’s flown a gay pride flag outside his home in Holly Park with no issue. Then in September of last year, he received a violation saying that flag did not comply with the rules set out by the homeowners association. “Why now, is my pride flag an […]
Jim Slaughter presented with the Don Buck Lifetime Contribution Award as a legal trailblazer and thought leader shaping the future of community association law.
Jim Slaughter, president of Law Firm Carolinas’ six offices, has been honored with the Don Buck Lifetime Contribution Award at the Community Association Law Seminar in Las Vegas. The award, presented by Community Associations Institute’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL), recognizes attorneys who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the community association industry. Read the article…………………………….
A Mooresville couple tried to paint their home. They were hit with a $1,000 fine from their HOA (NC)
Living in a neighborhood run by a homeowners association has its advantages, like maintaining uniformity with the exterior colors of the homes. But after discovering some of their HOA’s “approved” colors didn’t even exist anymore, a Mooresville family found themselves asking, “Where’s the money?” The family picked a color they liked, only to be hit […]
NC Community Association Legislative Update – February 28, 2024
Today (Wednesday, February 28) was the fourth and final meeting of the NC House Select Committee on Homeowners’ Associations. As a reminder, this Committee was created by House Bill 311 (see NC Community Association Legislative Update – May 9, 2023) and tasked with examining planned communities and condominium associations, Read the article…………………………….
NC House panel okays recommendations limiting power of HOAs
A state House panel Wednesday gave the final okay to recommendations they say would help curb abuses of power by community and homeowners’ associations in North Carolina. “We can’t make as many changes probably as some would like to see happen, but we do have a few suggestions in the way of this committee report,” […]
2 people displaced after massive condo fire in Raleigh, officials say (NC)
Two people lost their homes after a fire broke out at a condo building in Raleigh on Wednesday evening, fire officials said. Read the article…………………………….
Court sides with homeowners in NC ski country who want short-term rentals
After a homeowners association in the North Carolina High Country tried to block short-term rentals during ski season, a court has ruled against the HOA. Read the article…………………………….
Homeowner association regulations proposal expected in short session (NC)
Proposed changes to how North Carolina regulates homeowners’ associations expected to be introduced as a bill in the short session was reviewed by lawmakers on Tuesday. Staff with the General Assembly’s Legislative Analysis Division outlined five recommendations from the Select Committee on Homeowners’ Associations in the House of Representatives following several hearings on a variety […]
Five recommendations North Carolina lawmakers may consider to tackle HOA disputes
Members of the House Select Committee on Homeowners’ Associations are moving closer to advancing a draft bill designed to level the playing field between homeowners and their HOAs. Following two public hearings in January, five recommendations were presented Tuesday to the committee by legislative staff. Read the article…………………………….
Homeowner association regulations proposal expected in short session (NC)
Proposed changes to how North Carolina regulates homeowners’ associations expected to be introduced as a bill in the short session was reviewed by lawmakers on Tuesday. Staff with the General Assembly’s Legislative Analysis Division outlined five recommendations from the Select Committee on Homeowners’ Associations in the House of Representatives following several hearings on a variety […]
Homeowner association regulations proposal expected in short session (NC)
Proposed changes to how North Carolina regulates homeowners’ associations expected to be introduced as a bill in the short session was reviewed by lawmakers on Tuesday. Staff with the General Assembly’s Legislative Analysis Division outlined five recommendations from the Select Committee on Homeowners’ Associations in the House of Representatives following several hearings on a variety […]
North Carolina HOAs could face new hurdles to foreclosures
North Carolina homeowners’ associations could soon face new hurdles to approving larger budgets and seizing property as a means to enforce their rules. The House Select Committee on Homeowners’ Associations have been meeting this year to address voter claims that HOAs have abused their power in the state. Committee members have welcomed input from homeowners […]
Judge says Cabarrus County HOA didn’t maintain sidewalks it was required to (MD)
A judge said a Cabarrus County homeowners association has a duty to maintain the sidewalks and didn’t. Robert Beirne lives in the Skybrook subdivision. When tree roots started pushing up the sidewalk in front of his house, his HOA told him it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to fix. Beirne told Action 9?s Jason Stoogenke he did […]
Some homeowners say it’s been hard paying their portion of $3M neighborhood facelift (NC)
The Carmel Chace community near Johnston Road has three sections. The largest is more than 60 homes. They’re about 50 years old and many residents agree they desperately needed work, a lot of it. So, the Homeowners Association paid a contractor more than $3 million to redo the roofs, siding, and more. Read the article…………………………….
Happy homeowners: Speak up before laws are reformed
A legislative committee in North Carolina has been examining the need for potential reform to community association laws. The committee has done an admirable job collecting input from all involved stakeholders—homeowners, board members, community association managers, attorneys, and others who could be impacted by updates to state laws. Read the article…………………………….
HOA/Condo Op-Ed Article Published Today (NC)
I was asked by The Charlotte Observer and Raleigh News & Observer to respond to recent reporting looking at changing North Carolina’s HOA/condo laws. My article, “Caution: When NC HOA Laws Change, Property Values and More Are at Stake,” appears in both newspapers today Read the article…………………………..
Townhomes accuse city of causing pipes to burst (NC)
Some residents in the Park Place Townhomes in south Charlotte said they’ve been out of water off and on since the middle of November and they’re the ones who might have to pay to fix it. Read the article………………………….
When North Carolina HOAs want to block or pass legislation, they often get their way
North Carolina Sen. Kandie Smith was troubled by news reports of people who lost their homes over small HOA debts. So in March, the Pitt County Democrat introduced a bill to prohibit homeowners associations from foreclosing on homeowners. Read the article……………………………..
Charlotte HOA member learned the hard way: Fighting back can be a long, costly battle (NC)
Jennifer Jackson has survived cervical cancer. But not even that diagnosis — or the year of intensive radiation and chemotherapy that followed — caused as much distress as her long-running dispute with her https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/charlotte-hoa-member-learned-hard-110000422.html
Deceit, rigged bids and extortion: How HOA foreclosures can open the door to predators (NC)
A federal lawsuit focused on an intricate bid-rigging and extortion scheme has helped illuminate another pitfall of HOA foreclosures: They can leave homeowners vulnerable to profiteers. Read the article……………………………
Hundreds in NC lose homes, equity after HOAs foreclose. Who protects homeowners?
NC rules make it easy for HOAs to foreclose on homeowners. State law allows them to force the sale of homes for any amount of unpaid dues, no matter how small. Our investigation shows how often it’s happening – and how it can it’s devastateing homeowners. Read the article…………………………….
Fairfield Harbour community divided over POA Board’s decision to sell undeveloped land (NC)
The Property Owner’s Association Board at Fairfield Harbour has announced a controversial decision to sell a piece of land within the community and residents are speaking up about it. Read the article……………………………..
‘It’s been awful: Residents in south Charlotte complex almost 1 week without water (NC)
Residents living in a south Charlotte neighborhood have been without water for the past five days and have had to use water bottles for everything over the holiday weekend. Read the article…………………………
Marion City Council hears about Westwood Chateau situation (NC)
In early 2019, officials with McDowell County Emergency Management, the city of Marion, McDowell County and other local agencies notified the residents at the 32-unit condo complex, located behind the Lady Marian Plaza shopping center, of a voluntary evacuation order. It was issued for the Westwood Chateau residents because of “possible sinkhole formation under the […]
Residents of Fairfield Harbour ask for voices to be heard as property owner’s association mulls over selling portion of 385-acre property (NC)
On Tuesday, the POA held a board meeting at The Pointe Restaurant, with almost 100 residents attending. The Sun Journal and several other local media members attempted to attend the meeting but were told the board was not allowing media inside. Almost a dozen attendees were also escorted out of the meeting before it ended. […]
‘What have they done with the money?’ | Settlement money paid to HOA following 2016 tornado damage still sits in general fund (NC)
Homeowners in Avenues at Ayrsley’s phase one neighborhood said their homeowners association received payments in 2021 and 2022 related to a tornado, and claim the money is still sitting in the HOA’s general fund, which is currently tapped for the entire community, not just the homes that were affected. Read the article………………………………
New law protects Thin Blue Line flags after Union County HOA prevented former officer from flying it (NC)
Union County residents now have the right to fly first responder and military flags after a homeowners association asked residents to remove all flags that didn’t represent an official county. Read the article…………………………………….
Brandywine Bay residents voice concerns over poor water quality and high bills (NC)
Concerns over water from the tap: That’s the situation for hundreds of people living in the Brandywine Bay community just outside of the Morehead City limits. Read the article……………………………..
‘I own this place’ | Charlotte woman told to leave her home last minute due to repairs (NC)
A Charlotte woman is being forced to pay to stay in a hotel after her condo’s management group said she had to be out while repairs were being made to her unit. The woman, who is requesting to remain anonymous, said she was only told a few days ahead of time she would have to […]
As residents push for answers, Brunswick HOA addresses financial concerns (NC)
Some homeowners in the Westport development in Winnabow are facing 50 to 60 percent increases in their homeowner association dues next year. The rate hike has many in the community questioning actions of the development’s community association manager, GOProperty Management, and the Westport Homeowner Association Board of Directors. Some of their concerns include the association’s […]
Register of Deeds seeks help to catalog racially restrictive covenants (NC)
The Wake County Register of Deeds Office is putting out the call for volunteers to help dive into its archives and uncover historic insights into our community’s past. The historical evidence is hidden within the “restrictive covenants” of perhaps hundreds of properties and homeowner association clauses throughout the county. Read the article…………………………….
Homeowner facing lien and more than $12,000 in fines sues HOA and has been winning (NC)
A woman facing thousands in fines from her Homeowners Association (HOA) sued the board and has been winning. Sherry Loeffler’s windows are white. Her neighbors’ windows are beige. But it’s not about the color. Both sides say the HOA plans to paint them. It’s about the number of windows. Read the article………………………………..
South Charlotte HOA chops down tree, now protected by UDO (NC)
The city said because the rule recently changed, it’s working to lay a new foundation from the ground up. It has focused on education and not a penalty. Read the article………………………………………
Another resident hit with flag violation in Union County neighborhood (NC)
Another flag controversy is unfolding in a Union County neighborhood. Earlier this week, WBTV talked to a man in the Holly Park neighborhood in Indian Trail who said his homeowners association told him the Pride flag he has been flying freely outside his home for nearly 20 years violated HOA rules. The fine print in […]
Nationwide will not renew thousands of homeowners’ policies in North Carolina
Nationwide has chosen not to renew 10,525 homeowners’ insurance policies in North Carolina, citing concerns primarily related to hurricane risks. The move is expected to impact 4.4% of the insurer’s 237,652 policies in the state Read the article……………………………….
Neighborhood HOA asks man to take down Pride flag in Union County (NC)
Nick Crowley has lived along Council Fire Circle in the Holly Park neighborhood in Indian Trail, flying his Pride flag outside for nearly 20 years. He was surprised to receive a violation from the HOA on Monday stating that he cannot have the flag on his property. Read the article…………………………………….
NC Short-Term Rentals Ban in Spotlight as Homeowners Association Takes Battle to Appeals Court
Amidst the scenic beauty of western North Carolina’s mountains, a fierce legal storm is brewing. At the heart of the tempest lies the contentious NC short-term rentals ban, pitting homeowners against community associations. Read the article………………………..
Ask SAM: How can our subdivision get speed bumps? (NC)
Q:We live in the Peppertree development just outside Clemmons. There are 25 mph speed limit signs posted within our development. However, cars are constantly speeding through the neighborhood, creating serious safety problems. Several neighbors are now interested in having speed bumps installed. Who would we contact to see if this is a feasible project? Read […]