Rules Say Burned-Out Residents Must Rebuild, Not Move From Townhouses

Raleigh, N.C. — Some victims of the recent townhouse fires in Raleigh are fired up about being told they have to rebuild.

A massive blaze last month, one of the largest in Raleigh history, destroyed or damaged 38 homes at Pine Knoll Townes. After they lost so much, some residents say, the homeowners association has delivered another blow.

Some of the people who lost everything would rather move on than rebuild. However, the development’s homeowners association is not giving them that option. According to the master covenants, conditions and restrictions for Pine Knoll Townhomes, homeowners have no choice but to rebuild.

"The fire came up from the back, went up the side of the house and up through the attic," Gene Johnson said Wednesday as he pointed to what's left of his roof.

Tarps cover the holes, but there is no hiding the damage inside. The ceiling in his master bedroom collapsed. The rest of the house suffered mostly smoke and water damage.

“We really are lucky in some respects that we didn't lose everything," said Johnson. He and his fiancé plan to rebuild from the ground up.

Others feel differently.

The rules state, "In the event of damage to an owner's property, the owner shall contract to rebuild or repair.”

"I guess that it could be a real traumatic experience to come back into a house that you know, even though it's brand new, was once ashes," Johnson said.

The developer, Bill Spang, acts as the board of directors for the homeowners association. He says he's not in any position to buy out any of the residents. And if the homeowners don't comply with the rules, it may delay reconstruction.

"I would think that as neighbors, you would want to work together and rebuild the community and not hold up the process,” Johnson said. But others would rather carry on with their lives elsewhere and forget all that was lost here.

The developer says the builder, Beazer Homes, is ready to start construction immediately, but homeowners must sign off on the project first. The developer says the town homes can rebuilt in 100 to 120 days.

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Latest Comments

a townhouse is very similiar to a condo in the fact that tere is a master insurance policy. it will pay to rebuild and the owners will own wjat they did before, (the space between the walls). They can always sell, before they are rebuilt, if they want. fact is, they own it, it will be rebuilt. Don't really see where anybody could think that there is a profit to make here. Even if they did not rebuild (if these were individual houses), the mortgage would still have to be paid off. Since this was a new community with little time to appreciate in value, where is the profit??? Especially with all the 100% LTV loans being done now.

mrcrosby
March 15, 2007 8:04 p.m.

I agree with "The Dude" I would assume each unit was insured. So they will be rebuilt. If you want to leave then sell and leave.

I now see that is a big difference between a house on a lot and a Townhouse. Townhouse you own a "share" of the lot.

With a townhouse your idiot neighbor could set theirs on fire and ruin yours. Now your drug into this.

Simple solution,,,,, don't buy a townhouse.

Nibor
March 15, 2007 7:12 p.m.

I was just wondering if they can sell the lot space and have someone rebuilt there. I guess a lot has to do with the obligations to HOA.

damfrisky33
March 15, 2007 4:37 p.m.

The Dude or is it "The Dud" I sure as hell hope you never lose all you have in a fire or other catastrophe. If you do, I hope you will not "remove yourself from the grown up world" Too late, sounds like you already did.

Politically Honest NOT PC
March 15, 2007 4:17 p.m.

TheDude, my comment wasn't about rules, policies, just resepect for not making commens such as "they want to take their money and run". Stick to what I said and don't type a whole commentary to get away from what I was addressing to you.

jeneric43
March 15, 2007 3:57 p.m.