Background

A 2018 change to state law (S.C. Code Ann. § 27-30-340) requires DCA to collect certain data from complaints involving homeowners associations (HOA). Information collected is to be reported to the Governor, General Assembly and the public by January 31st each year.  The Department issued the first report on January 31, 2019.  The report is in a categorized, filterable and searchable format.  The Department is reviewing the complaint data received in conjunction with the complaints forms for potential improvements. Any suggestions for content or process improvements may be submitted to DCA by e-mail or snail mail.

For more information on the Homeowners Association Act, click here.

View tips on searching and filtering data within the spreadsheet (PDF).

Current Report Information

View the 2024 HOA Complaint Report (XLS) - The information contained in the report is compiled from complaints received January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023.

2024 Executive Summary

• 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.  The largest group excluded (16%) were closed as "Abandoned" due to the complainant's failure to submit the required HOA Supplemental Questionnaire.
• 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%). 

Prior Report Information

View the 2023 HOA Complaint Report (XLS) ; 2023 Executive Summary (PDF) - The information contained in the report is compiled from complaints received January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022.

View the 2022 HOA Complaint Report (XLS) ; 2022 Executive Summary (PDF) - The information contained in the report is compiled from complaints received January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021.

View the 2021 HOA Complaint Report (XLS) ; 2021 Executive Summary (PDF)  - The information contained in the report is compiled from complaints received January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020.

View the 2020 HOA Complaint Report (XLS) ; 2020 Executive Summary (PDF) - The information contained in the report is compiled from complaints received January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019.

View the 2019 HOA Complaint Report (XLS) - The information contained in the report is compiled from complaints received June 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018. 

Special Report Information

View the 2023 Five-Year Complaint Report (PDF) - In celebration of the "Homeowners Association Act" fifth anniversary, SCDCA is releasing a compilation of the HOA complaint data received from June 1, 2018 - December 31, 2022. Individual annual reports can be found below.