Horry County tops annual statewide HOA complaints

Horry County recorded the highest number of homeowner association (HOA) complaints in South Carolina in 2025, with 140 filed, according to the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs. Statewide, HOA complaints have risen 176% since 2019, with 586 complaints reported across 23 counties in 2025. Many concerns involved issues such as enforcement of bylaws, access to records, disputes over fees and assessments, maintenance problems, and board transparency. Several communities received multiple complaints, with River Oaks Golf Villas HOA reporting the highest total in the county.

Read More: TheSunNews

Fewer Than 1% of South Carolina HOA Homeowners Filed Complaints — Most Communities Are Working

A recent article draws attention to complaints filed against homeowners associations in South Carolina, suggesting a trend of dissatisfaction. But when we look closer at the numbers, a very different picture emerges.

According to the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, 434 HOA-related complaints were filed in 2024. Meanwhile, more than 1.4 million South Carolinians live in HOA, condominium, and planned communities across the state. That means less than 0.03% of HOA residents filed a formal complaint—fewer than 1 in every 3,000 homeowners.

At Association Management Group (AMG), we take every complaint seriously. We understand that for the individuals involved, these are real concerns that deserve empathy and respectful attention. But we also believe association leaders—and readers—deserve the full picture.

Most associations are, in fact, doing a good job. National data from the Community Associations Institute (CAI) confirms this: 86% of homeowners in associations rate their experience as positive or neutral. A strong majority say their board members are serving the community’s best interests and that their management companies are helpful.

A Call for Balanced Leadership

Just because the numbers are small doesn’t mean boards should dismiss them. Quite the opposite: effective association leadership means applying empathy, discretion, and proportionality—especially when homeowners express concerns.

AMG encourages boards to maintain a structured, transparent approach to enforcement. We also recommend consulting legal counsel experienced in community association law, especially when fines or legal action are being considered. Attorneys can help ensure that the response is not only legally sound but appropriately scaled to the issue at hand.

The Bottom Line

Yes, some HOA residents face challenges—and those should be addressed thoughtfully. But the numbers show that the vast majority of homeowners are not reporting major issues. With strong leadership and a focus on fairness, boards can continue building communities where residents feel heard, protected, and at home.

Read More: Realtor

HOA complaints in SC spike

In 2024, South Carolina saw a 19% increase in HOA complaints compared to the previous year, with 434 complaints filed against 325 HOA or management companies. Nearly half of these complaints came from just three counties—Horry, Richland, and Charleston. The most common concerns involved failure to enforce covenants, maintenance issues, and ignored document requests. While 67% of cases were closed with adequate responses, only 12 resulted in outcomes consumers found satisfactory, and the percentage of unresolved complaints due to lack of business response rose to nearly 10%.

Read More: TheState

Can an HOA in SC give you a real speeding ticket?

HOAs in South Carolina have the authority to set speed limits on private roads, but they must obtain approval from the county sheriff and follow proper signage regulations. While HOAs cannot issue state-recognized speeding tickets or make arrests, they can enforce fines for speeding violations as part of their governing documents. Homeowners who receive a fine can dispute it through the HOA’s dispute resolution process, but refusal to pay could lead to further civil penalties, including potential foreclosure in extreme cases. Additionally, HOAs can hire private security or off-duty officers to patrol, but these officers can only issue citations on behalf of the HOA, not the state.

Source: TheIslandPacket

Can an HOA in SC make you take down your Christmas lights and decorations when it wants?

Homeowners in neighborhoods with HOAs should be mindful of restrictions on holiday decorations, as most HOAs limit the time they can remain up. Columbia attorney Kathleen McDaniel notes that HOAs can regulate outdoor decorations, flags, and displays if allowed by their restrictive covenants, which commonly include such provisions. HOAs help maintain community standards, which can boost property values.

In South Carolina, about 25% of homes are under HOA regulation, and many allow holiday lights from 30 days before the holiday until the second week of the new year. Non-compliance may result in fines. The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs oversees HOA-related complaints but lacks enforcement power, instead tracking and reporting issues to the General Assembly.

Read More: TheState

Storage Caves, a Luxury Condo Garage Storage Developer, to Build 119 Luxury Garages in Fort Mill South Carolina

Storage Caves has acquired 5.5 acres in Fort Mill, SC, to develop a luxury storage facility for RVs, boats, cars, and business inventory. The facility, expected to open by summer 2025, will feature 119 spacious, climate-controlled units with cutting-edge security. Located near the Greater Charlotte area, the development addresses a growing demand for secure and customizable storage solutions. Storage Caves also plans additional projects in the region over the next 18 months.

Read More: Newswire