SC HOA complaints: Everything you need to know

What are SC HOA complaints?

SC HOA complaints are complaints that homeowners or homeowners associations submit to the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) about an HOA-related dispute.
 

Examples of typical HOA complaints

According to SCDCA’s 2026 HOA Complaint Report, the most common SC HOA complaints involved:

• The association not following or consistently enforcing its community guidelines.
   
• Delayed or disputed maintenance and repairs.
   
• Homeowner requests to inspect association records or documents being ignored.
   
• Concerns about how HOA funds are allocated.
   
• Disagreements over HOA fees or special assessments.
   
• Failure to notify residents of board actions.
   
• Failure to produce financial statements.

What does the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs do with HOA complaints?

SCDCA does not regulate HOAs or decide who is right in a dispute. Instead, it records the complaint, sends it to the HOA or homeowner complained against, and may help both sides work toward a resolution through voluntary mediation.
 

What happens after an SC HOA complaint is filed?

After SCDCA receives a complaint, South Carolina HOA laws require the department to send it to the homeowner or HOA that is the subject of the complaint in a way that confirms it was received. The recipient can then decide whether to respond (S.C. Code § 27-30-340(C)).

SCDCA may also offer voluntary mediation to help both sides discuss the issue and see whether they can reach a resolution.
 

Can SCDCA force an HOA to resolve a complaint?

No. SCDCA does not enforce the South Carolina Homeowners Association Act or decide the outcome of an HOA dispute. It cannot require a homeowner or association to participate in mediation or accept a proposed resolution.
 

What laws apply to HOA complaints in South Carolina?

South Carolina does not have one comprehensive law covering every part of HOA operations. Associations must follow the South Carolina Homeowners Association Act, and other laws may apply depending on the association’s structure and the issue involved.

The complaint process itself is addressed in S.C. Code § 27-30-340, which requires SCDCA to collect and report specific information from HOA complaints. The association’s declaration, bylaws, rules, and other governing documents can also play an important role in resolving the underlying dispute.
 

What should homeowners do before filing an HOA complaint?

Before filing SC HOA complaints, homeowners should first review the issue and gather the information needed to explain it clearly.

Start by checking the association’s governing documents to see what rule, responsibility, or process applies. Then contact the board or management company in writing and give them a reasonable opportunity to respond. SCDCA’s own HOA guidance recommends trying to work with the board and using any dispute process provided in the governing documents before filing a complaint.

Keeping copies of emails, letters, notices, board meeting procedures, payment records, and other relevant documents can make the complaint easier to understand.
 

Mediation tips for HOA board members

1. Stay focused on the specific complaint

   Keep the discussion centered on the issue the homeowner raised and how the association responded. Avoid bringing in unrelated past disagreements unless they directly affect the complaint. A focused conversation can make it easier to identify what still needs to be resolved and whether there is a reasonable path forward.
    

2. Bring the right documentation

   Gather the records that directly relate to the complaint before mediation begins. That may include things like notices, emails, maintenance records, account statements, meeting records, or the relevant section of the governing documents. Conducting a board self-assessment and having the right information available can help the board explain its actions clearly without overwhelming the discussion with unnecessary paperwork.
    

3. Be clear about the board’s position

   Board members should be prepared to explain what happened, what steps the association already took, and how the governing documents or established process guided those decisions. Keep the explanation simple and factual. This can help everyone understand where the disagreement comes from and whether there is still room to address the homeowner’s concern.
    

4. Consider practical solutions

   Go into mediation with an open mind about what could reasonably resolve the complaint. That might mean reviewing a maintenance issue again, correcting an account error, providing records related to an HOA fine, or clarifying how a rule was applied. Any solution should still fit within the association’s governing documents and be something the board can apply consistently.
    

5. Keep communication professional

   Even when the board strongly disagrees with the homeowner, calm and respectful communication can help keep the conversation productive. Give the homeowner space to explain the concern and avoid making the discussion personal. The goal is to address the issue clearly and see whether a workable resolution is possible.

Are SC HOA complaints public?

SCDCA publishes HOA complaint data each year for the Governor, General Assembly, and public, as required by S.C. Code § 27-30-340(D). The public report must remove personal or private information such as homeowner names, addresses, and phone numbers, although information about the HOA and management company is not subject to that same redaction requirement.

SCDCA also provides a searchable complaint database that includes complaint type and closing status.
 

2026 South Carolina HOA complaint numbers

The 2026 HOA Complaint Report, covering complaints filed during 2025, included 452 complaints against 339 HOAs and management companies and identified 1,104 individual concerns.

The leading categories were:

• Failure to follow or enforce covenants and bylaws: 16.8%
   
• Maintenance and repair concerns: 11.7%
   
• Ignored requests for information or documents: 9.5%

Those trends can help boards see where clear processes and stronger board communication may reduce future SC HOA complaints.
 

How FirstService Residential can help

As North America’s leading property management company, FirstService Residential helps South Carolina boards stay organized and respond to homeowner concerns before they become more difficult to manage.

Our local teams can help track requests, maintain association records, coordinate maintenance, support consistent board processes, communicate with homeowners, and work with qualified association counsel when legal guidance is needed.

Contact a member of our team today to learn more.

This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal, regulatory, financial, or operational advice, or as a representation or guarantee of any specific services, capabilities, or outcomes. Property management needs, regulatory requirements, market conditions, and available services vary by jurisdiction, property type, and community. FirstService Residential provides services through locally based affiliates and associates, and services and results may vary by community, region, contractual terms, and applicable law.