Leasing in Landfall: Lease Rules, Addenda and Tips

Leasing in Landfall can be straightforward when you know the rules that actually govern your lease. If you are eyeing this gated Wilmington community, you want clarity on owner requirements, tenant access, and the addenda that keep everyone compliant. In this guide, you’ll learn where Landfall’s rules come from, how the Lease Addendum works, and practical tips to protect your time and deposit. Let’s dive in.

How Landfall regulates leasing

Master and tract documents

Landfall is overseen by the Landfall Council of Associations, which publishes the master declaration, tract declarations, bylaws, and community rules. These recorded documents control if and how a home may be leased, including minimum lease terms and any limits on rentals. Because rules can vary by sub-association, always review the specific parcel’s governing documents. The Landfall Council of Associations is your starting point for official documents and policies.

Landfall Lease Addendum

Landfall’s New Owner resources reference a required Lease Addendum and related tenant procedures. In practice, owners must provide tenant information to the COA and ensure tenants follow community rules. Request the current addendum and instructions from the COA or the New Owner Packet page. If you need help or cannot access owner resources, contact the COA administration through the COA contact page.

Tenant access and registration

Vehicle barcodes and gate access

Landfall uses barcodes for vehicle identification and gate access. Tenants should expect to register each vehicle and provide documentation as part of move-in. Owners can direct tenants to the COA’s barcode request form to complete access setup quickly. This process helps security manage residents, guests, and vendors.

Amenities and the Country Club

Community common areas are managed by the COA, while the Country Club of Landfall is separate. Club facilities typically require a membership or guest access that is not included with a standard lease. Set expectations in writing about which amenities are included, and whether club access is available under separate membership rules.

Lease clauses you should include

HOA rules acknowledgment

Include an HOA addendum that confirms the tenant received and agrees to follow the COA Rules and Regulations. Spell out that the owner remains responsible to the COA for violations and fines, and that tenants must cooperate with any HOA notices or hearings.

Security deposit language

North Carolina’s Tenant Security Deposit Act sets deposit limits, trust account or bond requirements, and notice timelines. Your lease should disclose the depository and follow state timelines for accounting and return. Review Chapter 42 of the General Statutes for the rules that apply to every residential lease in the state, and align your clauses with North Carolina Chapter 42.

Subletting and short-term rentals

If the declaration or tract rules prohibit subletting or short stays, your lease should clearly reflect that and define a minimum lease term. Wilmington’s short-term rental landscape has changed over time as the city shifted its policies following a court decision, so owners should verify current municipal guidance. For context on those changes, see local reporting on Wilmington’s STR registration changes.

Pets, parking, and vehicles

Use a pet addendum that mirrors any COA limits, requires proper registration, and outlines tenant responsibilities for cleaning and damage. Add a parking and vehicle clause that requires tenants to follow private road rules and obtain barcodes using the COA barcode process.

Repairs and emergencies

Reference North Carolina’s repair and access rules so both parties understand notice requirements and emergency access. Require tenants to promptly report any condition that could violate COA rules, such as unapproved exterior changes. Align your language with North Carolina Chapter 42 to keep your lease enforceable.

Enforcement and avoiding fines

How fines work

Under the North Carolina Planned Community Act, associations can adopt rules, issue notices, and impose fines or suspend privileges after a hearing. Owners are usually responsible to the COA for fines, even when a tenant causes the violation. Build clear remedies into your lease so you can recover HOA charges from the tenant. Review association powers under Chapter 47F.

Build notice and cure windows

Give tenants a defined period to cure rule violations that matches COA timelines. Require cooperation with HOA communications and any remediation needed. This approach can prevent fines and helps you resolve issues before they escalate.

Checklist for Landfall landlords

• Pull the recorded master and tract declarations, then verify lease eligibility and any minimum terms for your parcel. Start with the Landfall COA site and the New Owner Packet.
• Obtain the official Landfall Lease Addendum, attach it to your lease, and require tenant signatures. If you need access, use the COA contact page.
• Register tenants and vehicles at move-in, including barcodes using the barcode request form.
• Clarify amenity access and whether Country Club use requires separate membership. Put any club-related terms in writing.
• Follow North Carolina’s Tenant Security Deposit Act for deposit amounts, trust accounts or bonds, and return timelines. Confirm your clauses against Chapter 42.
• Keep proof that tenants received COA rules and the Lease Addendum, such as signed receipts or emails.

Quick tips for tenants

• Ask for the COA rules and the Lease Addendum before you sign. Read them so you know what is expected day to day.
• Register vehicles early using the barcode process to avoid delays at the gate.
• Get renter’s insurance and confirm what the HOA’s master policy does not cover. Your belongings are usually your responsibility.
• If you hope to host or sublet, confirm both your lease and the HOA allow it, and check current city policies for short-term rentals.

Mistakes to avoid

• Skipping tract-level rules. Parcel-specific declarations often add leasing limits and minimum terms.
• Forgetting the Lease Addendum. Without it, tenants may miss required registrations and rules.
• Leaving deposit rules vague. North Carolina’s timelines and disclosures are mandatory.
• Assumptions about club access. Country Club privileges are separate unless your lease states otherwise.

Ready to lease with confidence?

A little prep goes a long way in Landfall. When you align your lease with the COA’s rules and North Carolina law, you protect your time, your tenants, and your investment. If you want help sourcing compliant documents, clarifying addenda, or finding a well-qualified tenant, reach out to Stephanie Bolleyer for local, concierge-level guidance.

FAQs

Does Landfall allow rentals, and what rules apply?

• Landfall’s materials reference a Lease Addendum and tenant procedures, which indicates rentals are allowed, but they must follow the master and tract declarations and COA rules. Start with the New Owner Packet to review requirements.

Do tenants need to register vehicles to enter Landfall?

• Yes. Landfall requires vehicle identification and barcodes. Tenants typically register vehicles and provide documentation using the barcode request form.

How are short-term rentals handled in Landfall and Wilmington?

• Any short-term rental must comply with the HOA’s declarations and rules, plus current city policy. Wilmington’s registration rules changed after a court decision, so verify the latest guidance and see reporting on recent STR changes.

Who pays HOA fines if a tenant breaks the rules?

• The owner is typically responsible to the HOA. Your lease should require tenants to reimburse owner-paid fines and to cooperate with HOA notices and hearings under Chapter 47F.

How do I get the official Landfall Lease Addendum?

• Request it from the Landfall COA or check the New Owner Packet. If you need assistance, use the COA contact page.