Homeowners Association
2024 Executive Summary of SC HOA Complaints
The Department received 517 HOA complaints during calendar year 2023. Of that amount, 152 complaints were excluded from the report: 94 did not meet the statutory requirements for inclusion, 49 were duplicates, 7 were referred to the SC Human Affairs Commission and 2 were referred to the states where the properties were located.
There was a fifty-six percent increase in the total number of complaints filed in 2023 than filed in 2022 (517 versus 331).
The 2024 report contains information from 365 complaints filed against 298 HOAs/ Management Companies during calendar year 2023. This was a thirty-two percent increase in the total number of complaints included in the HOA Report as compared to 2022.
The complaints raised 742 concerns with multiple included in a single complaint. This is an increase of fourteen percent over 2022. The top three types of issues raised were: (1) Failure to adhere to and/or enforce covenants and bylaws (15.7%), (2) Concerns regarding maintenance and repairs (12.7%), (3) Consumers disagree with HOA Fees/Special Assessments (8.9%).
Sixty-seven percent of complaints included in the report were closed indicating receipt of an adequate business response. Consumers were satisfied with the outcome of the complaint resolution process in twelve complaints (3.3%). Examples of satisfactory resolutions include refunds/credits/adjustments being issued ($3.407.90), requested financial information being provided and repairs or maintenance being made.
Twenty-Two percent of complaints were closed "Undetermined" due to disputed facts. This is a three percent increase over the prior year. The Department closes complaints that are complex and/or contentious in nature under this category due to the agency’s statutory limitations.
Less than five percent of complaints were closed as "Unsatisfied" due to a business's failure to respond. This is down from six percent in 2022.
Top 3 Counties for Complaints: (1) Horry (24.4%), (2) Richland (15.3%), (3) Charleston (10.9%).
If you are an HOA - you better know what you are doing. If you manage an HOA - you better know what you are doing. If you live in an HOA - you better know what they are doing. If you don't - you should call Winslow Law 843-357-9301.
May God Bless You, Your Business, and the United States of America,Tom Winslow
