North Carolina

6 articles examine how North Carolina homeowners confront HOA regulations

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

These six articles reveal the tensions between North Carolina homeowners and their HOAs. One Charlotte couple nearly lost their home over a $100 fine when their HOA repeatedly tacked on fees and threatened foreclosure. Others, like Sherry Loeffler, spent years and tens of thousands of dollars fighting fines over disputes such as new windows. Some, like Eric Peper and Jennifer Jackson, lost their homes or faced foreclosure over small debts while struggling to navigate costly legal battles.

The stories point to a lack of oversight, limited homeowner protections in state law, and proposed reforms, such as limits on HOA foreclosure powers and requirements for greater transparency. Arguments over parking bans, dues, and board accountability highlight the need for clearer rules and more accessible remedies for homeowners facing HOA disputes.

Eric Peper stands outside the Charlotte house that he lost after his HOA foreclosed on him. Now he’s renting a room in someone else’s house. “I had my nice little house and everything was all good,” he said. “And all of a sudden. Bam.” By Khadejeh Nikouyeh

NO. 1: HUNDREDS IN NC LOSE HOMES, EQUITY AFTER HOAS FORECLOSE. WHO PROTECTS HOMEOWNERS?

A Charlotte Observer and News & Observer analysis of HOA foreclosures found that even small debts can result in big risks for NC homeowners. | Published December 13, 2023 | Read Full Story by Ames Alexander David Raynor

NO. 2: NC CONDO OWNER LEARNED THE HARD WAY: FIGHTING YOUR HOA CAN BE A LONG, COSTLY BATTLE

Jennifer Jackson contends her HOA has billed her for thousands of dollars related to a drainage problem that wasn’t her responsibility. | Published December 14, 2023 | Read Full Story by Ames Alexander

NO. 3: FOR NC HOMEOWNERS, 2 IMPORTANT THINGS ARE LACKING IN OUR STATE’S STATE HOA LAWS | OPINION

For NC homeowners, 2 important things are lacking in HOA laws | Opinion | Published December 19, 2023 | Read Full Story by Timothy Hinds

NO. 4: WAR OVER WINDOWS: CHARLOTTE HOMEOWNER WINS 5-YEAR FIGHT WITH HOA, GETS $75K SETTLEMENT

Homeowners rarely win battles against their HOAs. Sherry Loeffler is an exception. She sued after her HOA fined her $12,000 and put a lien on her Lake Wylie home. | Published November 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ames Alexander

NO. 5: WHY A CHARLOTTE COUPLE IS ON THE VERGE OF LOSING THEIR HOME OVER A $100 HOA FINE

It started as a fine for a van parked in front of his house. Now, Jeffrey Baldwin is considering bankruptcy. | Published January 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nora O’Neill

Pictured is a subdivision in the Summer Creek Lane and Benfield Road area in Charlotte, where corporate landlords have purchased homes and converted them to rentals. By Jeff Siner

NO. 6: CAN HOAS BAN STREET PARKING IN NC NEIGHBORHOODS? HERE’S WHAT LEGAL EXPERTS SAY

The neighborhood organizations do have powers that residents should follow. | Published June 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Evan Moore

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.