South Carolina Condo & HOA News
- Editorial: SC is getting more HOA complaints than ever; it should act on them March 4, 2024Most anyone driving past the small garden planted in the front yard of Craig and Jamie Bussard’s James Island house at 1530 Ocean Neighbors Blvd. would think, “Is this really what all the fuss is all about?” if they even noticed the few small plants in a fresh bed of wood chips. That’s why the neighborhood homeowners association’s order to remove the small rain garden and put down sod in its place seems so bizarre and petty. Read the article…………………………….
- Homeowners fight to keep rain garden in flood-prone James Island yard; can HOA be stopped? (SC) February 27, 2024Whenever it rained, Craig and Jamie Bussard knew their yard would flood. It became saturated every time the skies opened up ever since they moved into their home on Ocean Neighbors Boulevard in 2015. Over time, the Bussards just accepted it as their reality. But then they saw a way out: plant a rain garden, a round space where native plants would soak up the downpour. Read the article…………………………….
- ‘Don’t see it slowing down:’ SC Consumer Affairs say Horry Co. HOA complaints on the rise February 14, 2024Horry County leads South Carolina in the number of Homeowner Association complaints, according to a recent report by the South Carolina Dept. of Consumer Affairs. The report shows consumers raised nearly 700 concerns with HOAs in 2023. Read the article…………………………….
- Myrtle Beach HOA won’t provide completion date for public trail nearly 5 years after opening (SC) February 13, 2024A Myrtle Beach Homeowners Association still won’t provide a completion timeline for a public walking trail from nearly five years ago. The Grand Dunes community in June 2019 announced plans for the Waterway Trail, a 2-mile multi-use trail along the Intracoastal Waterway near the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA. Read the article…………………………….
- Surge in HOA complaints fuels calls for regulation (SC) February 11, 2024Consumer complaints against South Carolina homeowner associations (HOAs) have more than quadrupled since official record-keeping began in 2018, according to a new S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs report. And that’s part of what is fueling renewed calls for better HOA regulation in a state where more than 25% of residents live under association governance. Read the article…………………………….
- Surge in HOA complaints fuels calls for regulation (SC) February 10, 2024Consumer complaints against South Carolina homeowner associations (HOAs) have more than quadrupled since official record-keeping began in 2018, according to a new S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs report. And that’s part of what is fueling renewed calls for better HOA regulation in a state where more than 25% of residents live under association governance. Read the article…………………………….
- Richland Co. HOA complaints from 2023 continue to concern Lake Carolina residents (SC) February 9, 2024According to records from the Department of Consumer Affairs, 10 of the county’s 56 HOA complaints from 2023 were written specifically to the Lake Carolina Master’s Association. Some residents had filed complaints dating back to August 2023, pertaining to an abandoned property and walking paths that need repairs. Read the article…………………………….
South Carolina News Archives
South Carolina Condo & HOA Articles
- Five Factors a Court Will Likely Consider to Determine Validity and Enforceability of Amendments Recorded by Developers (SC)The 2006 Court of Appeals case of Queens Grant II Horizontal Property Regime vs. Greenwood Development Corporation (368 S.C. 342) provides guidance for validity of amendments to the Declaration/Master Deed (Declaration) recorded by Developers/Declarants (Developer). Read the article…………………………….
- Association Common Area Can Be Foreclosed and Sold to a Third Party for Unpaid Property Tax (NC/SC)Our office has had two situations in the last six months where an association failed to pay property taxes on association common area, the tax department foreclosed, and a third-party bought the common area at the tax foreclosure sale. Fortunately in these cases it was not the association pool or clubhouse, but it could have been. Read the article………………………….
- Persimmon Hill – Huge Impact on South Carolina Construction and Insurance IndustriesThe Persimmon Hill decision is one of the most impactful South Carolina insurance coverage decisions in years. The 58-page opinion authored by Justice Konduros addresses myriad issues including insuring agreements, obligations owed to insureds and additional insureds, bad faith, and an alternative to the “time on risk” allocation formula. Read the article………………………..
- South Carolina Court Alters Time-on-Risk Approach, Holds Insurer Responsible for Unresponsive Insured’s DefenseThe South Carolina Court of Appeals recently affirmed a $27.3 million judgment against an insurer. It held that the insurer acted in bad faith in failing to defend its insured and the general contractor in a construction defect suit involving a Berkeley County townhome community. Read the article…………………………….
- South Carolina Short Term RentalsThe number of South Carolina short term rentals has steadily increased with each passing year. Homeowners and landlords, though, should understand the different regulations and tax laws that may apply to them. Membership in a homeowners associations also adds another layer of complexity, as many of these communities enforce restrictions on rentals in general. Read the article…………………………………
- Essential Cool Weather Maintenance Tasks for Community AssociationsAs the leaves start to fall and the temperature begins dropping, fall and early winter present an excellent opportunity for community associations to prepare their neighborhoods for winter weather. From common areas to landscaping and amenities, there are several tasks board members should address during the fall/winter season to ensure a smooth transition into winter. Read the article………………………………
- Creating a Safe and Festive Holiday Season in Your CommunityHomeowner’s associations (HOAs) are crucial in fostering a sense of community and maintaining property values. As the holiday season approaches, board members must strike a balance between promoting festive cheer and upholding the guidelines in the governing documents. This article will go over tips to make your community’s holiday season a great one. Read the article……………………………..
South Carolina Article Archives
South Carolina Laws
CHAPTER 31 – HORIZONTAL PROPERTY ACT
CHAPTER 30 – SOUTH CAROLINA HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION ACT
CHAPTER 50 – THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY CONDITION DISCLOSURE ACT
Other Resouces on State Web Site
Homeowners Association Complaint Reports
Homeowners Association (HOA) Information
Homeowners Association (HOA) Education: SC Laws
HOA Complaints (scroll down to “File an HOA Complaint”)
Homeowners Association Complaint Reports
South Carolina Condo & HOA Resources
Community Associations Institute – South Carolina Chapter