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You can file a complaint and submit applications for licensing online. Filings you do not wish to make, or that are not available, online can be submitted via mail for processing.

Department staff is available to assist with any questions at (800) 922-1594 (toll free in SC) or 803-734-4200 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays. You can also email general questions to scdca@scconsumer.gov. 

2021 Homeowners Association Complaint Report Released

Mon, 02/01/2021

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) is releasing the third Homeowners Association (HOA) Complaint Report. The 2021 Report is a compilation of data from complaints received January 2020 through December 31, 2020. Some of the highlights include:

  • SCDCA received 192 HOA complaints filed against 159 HOA/Management Companies.
  • Top Three Counties for Complaints: Horry (33.16%), Richland (15.54%) and Charleston (12.5%).
  • The complaints raised 420 concerns, with multiple included in a single complaint. The top three types of issues raised were: Failure to adhere to and/or enforce covenants and bylaws (19.29%), actions not taken by the property management company (11.67%) and concerns regarding maintenance or repairs (10.71%).
  • Only 6.22% of complaints were closed as "Unsatisfied" due to a business' failure to respond. Thirty-three percent of complaints closed with this status were against HOAs managed by the same association management company.

SCDCA will offer a free webinar “HOA Education and 2021 Report Review”on Wednesday, February 3 at 10:30 a.m. SCDCA Administrator and Consumer Advocate Carri Grube Lybarker will speak about the 2021 HOA Report, the types of complaints received and the department's role in collecting complaint data. Register here to watch/listen from any computer.

Changes to state law in 2018 require SCDCA to collect certain data from complaints involving homeowners' associations and report it annually. The report is presented in a categorized, filterable and searchable format and can be viewed in its entirety by visiting www.consumer.sc.gov and clicking on News, then Reports.

SCDCA processes and mediates consumer complaints against businesses regulated by DCA, refers complaints that fall within another agency's jurisdiction, and mediates those complaints against businesses that are unregulated. To file a complaint, visit our website and click “How Do I…”then the “File a Complaint?”option.

About SCDCA

The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs aims to protect consumers from inequities in the marketplace through advocacy, complaint mediation, enforcement and education. To file a complaint or get information on consumer issues, visit www.consumer.sc.gov or call toll-free, 1 (800) 922-1594.