Local

4 stories of how NC residents are fighting back against HOAs

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

Homeowners in North Carolina face challenges with Homeowners Associations (HOAs). Four recent stories highlight various issues residents encounter when dealing with these organizations.

In one case, a former Charlotte HOA president, Rodney McCalister, legally challenged his association. He argued that the HOA improperly approved a special assessment without securing homeowner votes. This led to foreclosure proceedings on his property. He claims the board lacked transparency and violated governing procedures.

In Mooresville, residents of the Waterfront at Langtree community express frustration over developer control of their HOA. They argue they have almost no influence in decisions despite paying dues. Developer control continues as construction progresses, limiting residents' ability to vote on leadership or major community decisions.

Meanwhile, in Linville Land Harbor, homeowners attempt to recall their board. The board reportedly prioritized a $1 million golf course project over repairs after Hurricane Helene. Residents expressed concerns about spending priorities and transparency. The recall effort aims to realign HOA focus on infrastructure and long-term planning.

Lastly, Jeffrey Baldwin in Charlotte successfully fought his HOA's foreclosure attempt over fines related to a truck. The dispute started with a $100 fine, escalating into a lien. Baldwin's case highlights the potential power imbalance between homeowners and HOAs under current North Carolina foreclosure laws.

Rodney McCalister, who owns a condo in east Charlotte, is taking the homeowners association he formerly served as president of to court over a fee he says was approved improperly. This file photo is of a home in Raleigh that was foreclosed on by a HOA there. By Kaitlin McKeown

NO. 1: CHARLOTTE HOA TRIES TO FORECLOSE ON EX-PRESIDENT’S CONDO. HE ASKS COURTS TO STOP IT

A former Charlotte HOA president has taken his neighborhood association to court, alleging it improperly approved a $2,400 special assessment and sought to foreclose on his home when he refused to pay. | Published October 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nora O'Neill

The Property Owners Office at Linville Land Harbor, where residents have called for a recall election.

NO. 2: NC COMMUNITY SEES RECALL ELECTION OVER $1M GOLF COURSE PROJECT AFTER HELENE

People in a Western North Carolina community are trying to oust their property owners board, saying it prioritized a nearly $1 million dollar golf course project over repairs after Hurricane Helene. | Published November 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nora O'Neill

A community near Lake Norman in the Mooresville area says its HOA has been under developer control long after they moved in. By Kaitlin McKeown

NO. 3: LAKE NORMAN AREA RESIDENTS SAY DEVELOPER HOA CONTROL LEFT THEM WITHOUT A VOICE

Residents of a Mooresville waterfront community say they’ve spent years paying dues into a homeowners association they have almost no ability to influence because the neighborhood remained under developer control long after people moved in. | Published December 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nora O'Neill

Jeffrey Baldwin points out that there are commercial vehicles in his neighborhood that his neighbors have not been fined for by the HOA in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, January 6, 2025. By KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH

NO. 4: CHARLOTTE MAN SAID HOA TRIED TO FORECLOSE OVER TRUCK FINES. NOW, HE’S CELEBRATING

A Charlotte homeowners association dropped its attempt to foreclose on Jeffrey Baldwin’s home Tuesday, ending a legal battle that began with a disputed $100 fine. | Published January 14, 2026 | Read Full Story by Nora O'Neill

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.