Over 100 Horry County HOAs had complaints filed against them. Did yours make SC’s list?
Horry County is the best when it comes to filing complaints against an HOA.
In 2024, more than 100 different HOAs in Horry County had complaints filed against them at the state level.
Data from the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs’s 2025 HOA report shows that Horry County not only had the highest number of complaints, but also the largest number of HOAs that received complaints.
The exact number of HOAs that operate in Myrtle Beach is unclear. The state’s report only includes HOAs with complaints.
According to Zillow, there are approximately 470 homes for sale in Myrtle Beach that don’t have HOA fees. In comparison, there are 2,739 homes for sale in Myrtle Beach that are parts of an HOA.
The list provided by the state does not have copies of the complaints attached. The only information included is the complaint number, the date the complaint was filed and the name and location of the HOA.
Out of the 102 different Horry County HOAs included in this year’s report, nine had multiple complaints.
Myrtle Beach Resort HOA topped the list with four complaints filed in 2024. An email sent to their board of directors asking about the complaints and future measures to mitigate more was sent on Thursday morning.
What happens to the complaints once they’re filed?
Currently, lawmakers do not enforce complaints filed against HOAs in South Carolina.
The state law requires a report of HOA names and complaint numbers to be reported to the governor, the General Assembly and the public by Jan. 31 every year. No action is taken against these complaints, it’s just a list to send to the legislature and the governor, the DCA’s wesbite said.
Messages were left for Myrtle Beach area politicians State Senator Luke Rankin and State Representative Case Brittain on Thursday.
When did SC start managing HOA complaints?
This accountability initiative for HOAs throughout South Carolina first began on the floor of the state House of Representatives.
The state began collecting HOA data seven years ago in May 2018 after the Homeowners Association Act became law.
The law includes statues requiring HOAs to make their rules and regulations accessible to all members and allow for residents to file complaints with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs.
A list of those complaints is required to be publicly shared each year, the law said.
Has Horry County always had the worst HOAs in the state?
Since the law was enacted, Horry County is the top county for HOA complaints reported in the state. Data shows that there is more than one HOA complaint per 1,000 people in Horry County over the past seven years.
According to an additional seven year summary report on these findings, there’s been a 79% increase in consumer complaints against HOAs filed with the state from 2019 to 2024.
Survey responses included in the summary show that almost a third of respondents believe there should be state agency oversight in the HOA complaints process. Homeowners want the state to get involved with legitimate consequences against HOAs. This is important because it could spark more legislative change in the future.
State data shows that The number-one reason homeowners submit complaints is failure to adhere to or enforce the HOA’s bylaws.
How do I file a complaint against my HOA in South Carolina?
Submitting a complaint against an HOA in South Carolina is relatively easy and can be done online using this link.
Do other states penalize HOAs or management companies?
Some states have laws that limit the power of HOAs, but it’s unclear if any straightforward laws punish management companies following an individual complaint.
In 2024, Florida legislators passed House Bill 1203, or the Homeowners’ Associations Law, along with several other bills to reign in HOA control.
Under these new laws, HOAs in Florida must be transparent with documentation and meetings, cannot have fines exceed $1,000 and can’t enforce construction improvement rules on some homes and not others.
In Montana, a state bill protects homeowners in HOAs by allowing them to put political signs or flags anywhere on their property or in common areas.
