News Summary
Homeowners associations (HOAs) in South Carolina are facing a surge in complaints, with a staggering 570% increase over the past seven years. The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs reported that between 2023 and 2024 alone, complaints rose by 19%. Key issues include enforcement of covenants, maintenance disputes, and financial concerns. Areas like Jasper County show the highest complaint rates per capita. Many residents are calling for clearer regulations and better oversight amidst the dissatisfaction with HOA operations.
Columbia, South Carolina – Complaints against homeowners associations (HOAs) in South Carolina have skyrocketed by 570% over the past seven years, indicating a growing wave of dissatisfaction among residents living in these communities. Between 2023 and 2024 alone, there was a notable 19% increase in the number of complaints filed. The rise in grievances is particularly pronounced in the Lowcountry neighborhoods, which have seen a significant portion of the increased complaints.
The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) is responsible for tracking and reporting complaints from HOA communities across 28 counties annually. In 2024, HOAs in the top five counties had the highest reports of complaints, which include:
- Horry County: 117 complaints
- Richland County: 58 complaints
- Charleston County: 34 complaints
- Greenville County: 31 complaints
- Beaufort County: 24 complaints
Among these, Jasper County stands out with one of the highest complaint rates per capita at 1.04 complaints per 1,000 people. This is linked to larger HOA neighborhoods such as Latitude Margaritaville and Hilton Head Lakes.
Complaints coming from homeowners primarily revolve around several key issues:
- Failure to enforce covenants and bylaws.
- Maintenance and repair issues.
- Disputes over fees or special assessments.
Notably, the complaint statistics from 2018 to 2024 show a drastic increase, with complaints rising from just 92 complaints filed in 2018 to 617 complaints filed in 2024. In 2024, the SCDCA reviewed 434 cases from the total complaints.
It is worth mentioning that not all complaints lead to a review, as adequate information from the complainant is necessary. For example, in Beaufort County, half of the 24 complaints filed in 2024 were still awaiting responses or required additional information from the respective HOAs.
Specific concerns identified in Beaufort County complaints include issues related to financial responsibility, inadequate documentation, conflicts of interest among board members, and failures to enforce established rules.
The SCDCA categorizes complaint statuses into several groups, which include Satisfied, Undetermined, and Pending reviews. This ensures that homeowners can track the progress and outcome of their complaints.
One significant issue is that South Carolina does not have specific state laws governing the operation of HOAs. Still, existing frameworks such as the Nonprofit Corporation Act and The Homeowners Association Act provide some influence over their governing documents and operations. As a result, residents often find themselves navigating a complex landscape when problems arise within their communities.
To assist homeowners, the SCDCA offers a variety of resources on its website, including explanations about complaint statuses and detailed guidelines for HOAs. With the evident rise in complaints and the various challenges faced by homeowners associations, many are calling for clearer regulations and better oversight to enhance the living experience in these communities.
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Additional Resources
- Island Packet
- Wikipedia: Homeowners Association
- The State
- Google Search: Homeowners Associations in South Carolina
- WBTW
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homeowners Association
