Category: Blogs

North Carolina, Referral Fees, and Ownership Structures: Part 2By: Pat Finn By: Pat Finn – North Carolina Licensed Partner with Brownlee Whitlow & Praet This is Part 2 of a two-part series related to North Carolina rules and requirements related to referral fees and ownership structures. Part 1 can – Read More…

North Carolina, Referral Fees, and Ownership Structures: Part 1By: Pat Finn By: Pat Finn – North Carolina Licensed Partner with Brownlee Whitlow & Praet Our firm recently published a blog related to the statutory requirements in North Carolina when a broker-in-charge is required for owner-operators of rental housing. That – Read More…

Civil Procedure: What is it?By: Corey Brandenburg By: Corey Brandenburg – North Carolina Licensed Associate with Brownlee Whitlow & Praet Civil procedure refers to the set of rules that govern most non-criminal disputes in the judicial system. Importantly, Housing Providers must adhere to these rules of process when summoned – Read More…

Celebrating 10 Years of Serving the Rental Housing Industry This year, Brownlee Whitlow & Praet is celebrating 10 years of serving the rental housing industry. Over the past decade, we have had the privilege of partnering with property owners, operators, suppliers, investors, and industry associations to help navigate legal – Read More…

Small Claims vs. District Court in North Carolina: What Housing Providers Need to Know About Counterclaims and AppealsBy: Brownlee Whitlow & Praet For most North Carolina housing providers, small-claims court is very familiar. Evictions, unpaid rent, late fees, and modest property-damage cases are routinely handled before a magistrate. The – Read More…

HUD Secretary Publishes Letter on Criminal Screening and Obligations to “Make America Safe Again”By: Sean Tropea By: Sean Tropea – South Carolina & Georgia Licensed Partner with Brownlee Whitlow & Praet On November 25, 2025, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a – Read More…

True Lease OR Disguised Finance Agreement in the Mobile Home Industry By: Kristen Wills By: Kristen Wills – North Carolina Licensed Managing Attorney with Brownlee Whitlow & Praet A determination of whether a Mobile Home Lease to Own Agreement is a true lease or is a disguised finance agreement – Read More…

When a Resident Passes Away in North Carolina: A Housing Provider’s Guide to Handling Personal Property By: Daria Harrington By: Daria Harrington – North Carolina Licensed Associate Attorney with Brownlee Whitlow & Praet There are routine issues that housing providers encounter — late rent, maintenance requests, parking disputes, noise – Read More…

The Georgia Squatter Reform Act: First ImpressionsBy: Sean Tropea By: Sean Tropea – South Carolina & Georgia Licensed Managing Attorney with Brownlee Whitlow & Praet In April 2024, the Georgia Legislature passed HB 1017, also known as the Georgia Squatter Reform Act (the “Act”). Created with intent to address – Read More…

Understanding the Process for Trespass After Notice in South Carolina By: Morgan Dunn By: Morgan Dunn – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Licensed Associate Attorney with Brownlee Whitlow & Praet Trespass laws in South Carolina are designed to protect property owners and renters from unauthorized entry or presence – Read More…

Atlanta’s Eviction and Water Shutoff Moratorium Explained: What Atlanta Housing Providers Need to KnowBy: Morgan Dunn By: Morgan Dunn – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Licensed Associate Attorney with Brownlee Whitlow & Praet     In late October 2025, in response to the recent federal government funding lapse, Atlanta – Read More…

Bankruptcy, What Does It Mean for Housing Providers?By: Kristen WillsBankruptcy, What Does It Mean for Housing Providers?By: Kristen Wills By: Kristen Wills- North Carolina & Virginia Licensed Managing Attorney with Brownlee Whitlow & Praet, PLLC When a debtor files a bankruptcy petition, whether for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, – Read More…