Horry County Leads South Carolina in HOA Complaints for 2024

Categories: Breaking NewsGovernment NewsNewsSocastee, SC

Residential neighborhoods in Horry County showing aspects of homeowners associations.

News Summary

In a troubling report by the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, Horry County has emerged as the leader in homeowners association complaints for 2024, accounting for 27% of the complaints across the state. With a total of 617 complaints reported statewide, the figures indicate a concerning increase in homeowner dissatisfaction. Issues primarily revolve around failure to enforce covenants, maintenance concerns, and communication breakdowns between residents and associations. The SCDCA plans to hold a webinar in response to these issues and encourage better relations within HOAs.

Horry County Tops South Carolina HOA Complaints for 2024

Attention, homeowners! A recent report from the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) has revealed some punchy statistics for homeowners associations (HOAs) across the state, and it seems Horry County is grabbing the spotlight—though not for the best reasons. In 2024, Horry County led the charge in HOA complaints, racking up a whopping 117 grievances!

The Numbers Speak Volumes

Now, let’s dive into the numbers. The SCDCA documented a startling total of 434 valid complaints against 325 different HOAs or management companies throughout South Carolina for the year. Horry County was responsible for a significant 27% of these complaints. That figure is not just a small margin; it’s double the complaints found in other counties!

Second on the list is Richland County, which accounted for just 13.4% of the complaints, while Charleston County followed with a mere 7.8%. These stats emphasize not only Horry County’s prominence but also highlight a growing trend—there was a 14% increase in HOA complaints compared to 2023 overall.

2024 Sees a Surge

The SCDCA isn’t just reporting on minor fluctuations either. With a total of 617 complaints reported for 2024, which signifies nearly a 20% jump from 2023, it seems homeowners are feeling more vocal about their frustrations. Many residents are clearly unhappy with their living situations and are looking for resolutions.

What Are the Complaints About?

The majority of the complaints—often cited as a headache for many associations—center around the failure to adhere to and/or enforce covenants and bylaws. Homeowners are expressing their dissatisfaction with the way rules are being managed, leading to friction among residents and associations.

Additional issues raised included concerns about maintenance and repairs, alongside complaints about ignored requests for information or accessing important documents related to their HOAs. It seems communication is a major hurdle as residents battle to get the clarity they deserve.

Mixed Results in Resolutions

70% of the complaints were marked as closed, which suggests that customers did receive some level of response from the businesses involved. Still, despite this figure sounding somewhat promising, only a bleak 2.8% of complainants reported being satisfied with how things turned out.

A troubling 15% of complaints were closed as “undetermined,” mainly due to disputes over facts, while 9.7% were labeled “unsatisfied” because the business failed to respond at all. It’s clear that there’s a communication breakdown that needs some serious attention.

A Back-to-Back Challenge for Horry County

Interestingly, Horry County has topped the list for HOA complaints for three consecutive years, making it a challenging scenario for homeowners and associations alike. The data collected spanned the entire calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2024, shedding light on a problem that continues to persist.

What’s Next?

In light of these findings, the SCDCA is stepping up to help. They are planning to host a free webinar aimed at discussing the report in detail and introducing methods to better collect this vital data. This could be an excellent opportunity for residents to gain more insight and perhaps advocate for better relations with their HOAs.

As the conversation around HOAs heats up, it’s important for homeowners to stay informed and actively engage with their associations. Horry County may be leading in complaints, but it’s also a prime opportunity to turn the tide for better governance and community living.