A local homeowner came before Pioneer Rural Water District earlier this week to find a solution to a series of water line leaks. George Hibler, president of the Homeowners’ Association at Parkview South in Fair Play, told the Board of Directors at its September meeting that he’s been a customer for 20 years. “In front […]
Charleston-area homebuilder wants right to cancel contracts any time. SC Judge says its unethical
Pat Franquelin and her husband, Marcel, were three weeks from closing on their Johns Island home when the builder unexpectedly called and canceled their contract. Now, more than three years after filing a lawsuit against the builder for breach of contract, the Franquelins are still fighting to move into their dream home. The couple is […]
Did the City of Myrtle Beach get involved in HOA violations? The facts behind the rumors (SC)
Did the City of Myrtle Beach send letters about an HOA violation to residents in the Meridian by D.R. Horton? Spokeswoman Meredith Denari said in an email to The Sun News on Aug. 19 that the city didn’t. “No, the city has not sent a letter to the HOA members of the Meridian community,” her […]
Brazen car break-ins leave Carolina Forest condo owners shocked (SC)
Several condo owners in Carolina Forest woke up to troubling news Friday morning: their cars had been broken into overnight. The sound of a neighbor banging on the door of his condo at The Fairways at River Oaks got Tyler Cole out of bed as he learned his new car was broken into and one […]
‘It’s not fair’: South Strand parents of children playing sports in community area issued cease and desist from HOA (SC)
Friendly games between kids have turned into ugly fights between adults in one South Strand neighborhood after some kids were ordered to stop playing sports in a grass common area, in the Creekhaven community. “It makes me extremely angry,” said resident Camila Denshuick. Read the article…………………………….
Aynor residents want subdivision to annex into Horry County (SC)
One of the first residents of the subdivision, Greenfield Estates HOA president Ted Czaplicki moved into the model home of the subdivision in 2016. Czaplicki said he has been frustrated with a lack of services from the town and does not believe being incorporated has been worth the additional taxes they pay. Town records show […]
Prolonged Sea Pines gate fee lawsuit may go to SC Supreme Court. ‘It’s about transparency’
Resident Dana Advocaat had the same question. What started as a request for financial transparency has turned into a lengthy legal battle against the Hilton Head Island real estate giant, with a series of appeals carrying the case to the steps of the state Supreme Court. After more than four years — and two court […]
Kiawah Island developer files suit against town, homeowners following opposition (SC)
Opposition to proposed development and development already in the works on Kiawah Island has prompted the developer, Kiawah Resort Associates, to file not one, but two lawsuits. One lawsuit is solely against the Town of Kiawah Island, but the second lawsuit is against the town, property owners and the Homeowners Association. The first suit involves […]
Gators in backyards, Hampton Hall looks more like Hampton Lake after Debby floods lagoon (SC)
“Alligators are swimming in our yard,” was the exasperated report from one Hampton Hall homeowner. Residents of the gated community watched as alligators and other creatures swam through one of Bluffton’s manicured neighborhoods as torrential rain from Tropical Storm Debby blurred the boundaries between their yards and the nearby lagoon. Read the article…………………………….
That pesky HOA? Here’s why you should embrace it (SC)
South Carolina ranks among the highest states when it comes to the percentage of homeowners living in community associations, better known as HOAs. In 2020, 80% of all new homes being built in South Carolina were in communities that required an HOA to help govern them, according to the Community Associations Institute (CAI), a national […]
A Black veteran accused his new Myrtle Beach neighbors of harassment. 1 was arrested (SC)
Eugene Gary didn’t know his neighbors when he moved to the Wave Rider Resort on March 1. At 69 and recently homeless, the Black Marine Corps veteran was just relieved to find housing. Gary had been living in a Camden hotel after a series of hardships: breaking his hip on some icy steps in 2013, […]
Kiawah Island development opposition continues, attorneys now involved (SC)
Property owners and the Homeowners Association on Kiawah Island have been fighting against proposed developments for months and now attorneys are involved. The attorney representing the developers, Kiawah Resort Associates, sent a letter to the attorney representing Kiawah HOA’s, saying their concerns they expressed to the town about the development are groundless and are delaying […]
Internet company previously barred from Columbia breaks five water mains, damages neighborhood (SC)
Jack Heape, president of the Springhurst homeowners association, said he hasn’t seen a utility cause this level of damage, or any significant damage, in the six years he’s lived in the neighborhood. On July 12, the Springhurst neighborhood was without water for three to four hours after Lumos and its contractor broke several water mains. […]
Complaints mount through the Nation against ‘America’s Builder,’ D.R. Horton
From coast to coast, customers who purchased brand new homes with D.R. Horton say their homes are riddled with constant problems, creating a massive safety hazard and taking a toll on their livelihood and bank accounts. While their homes are an obvious concern, the homeowners believe communication and accountability are bigger issues with the home […]
These HOA and property management companies in Myrtle Beach area get the most complaints, SC says
Horry County led the state last year in complaints against homeowners associations, or HOAs, filed with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs in 2024. Of the 365 complaints, Horry County residents filed 89 — nearly a quarter of the reports. HOAs can be a thorny subject for renters and homeowners. While HOAs can mean […]
Surfside Beach condo building closes after officials find ‘structural deficiencies’ (SC)
Surfside Beach officials closed an oceanfront condo building after they determined it was unsafe because of “structural deficiencies.” Fire Marshal Keith Williams on July 1 announced the Sandfiddler at 813 S. Ocean Blvd., had been shuttered after his office, the town building inspector and an outside engineer found “inadequate means of egress and structural deficiencies.” […]
Kiawah Island development opposition continues, attorneys now involved (SC)
Property owners and the Homeowners Association on Kiawah Island have been fighting against proposed developments for months and now attorneys are involved. The attorney representing the developers, Kiawah Resort Associates, sent a letter to the attorney representing Kiawah HOA’s, saying their concerns they expressed to the town about the development are groundless and are delaying […]
Ex-Hilton Head POA treasurer convicted after embezzling over $200K from reserve accounts (SC)
With restitution finally paid, a former treasurer for a Hilton Head POA who was caught embezzling over $200,000 from the association’s reserve accounts will dodge jail time with a three-month probation sentence. The woman siphoned funds from the community for more than four years without raising any eyebrows. Read the article…………………………….
SC judge gives woman 5 more years for ‘egregious’ $1.1M theft from Rock Hill development
Besides GRH, Hill also stole money from the homeowners association at Riverwalk, prosecutors and company officials said in court. Hill was in charge of the money for eight months in 2020 before being caught. “She has been given chances to change her behavior, but she has chosen fraud and dishonesty,” GRH employee Debbie McMillan said […]
What are HOAs? Should you live in one? What to know about the rules. (SC)
In South Carolina, HOAs are a hot topic of discussion among homeowners. Although homeowners may dread forking over those hefty monthly dues, homeowners associations ensure community guidelines are adhered to. They also maintain the neighborhood’s appearance. Read the article…………………………….
SCCL residents turn out to support HOA president (SC)
It was not a quiet day in Sun City Carolina Lakes on the Tuesday after Memorial Day. Over 200 people showed up at the Lake House at noon June 28, looking to hear from the HOA Board President Thomas Powell, who had sent an email to the community earlier in the day, saying he would […]
HOA says single elevator at senior living community will cost $120K to fix (SC)
Residents at one senior living community in West Columbia said the only elevator in their building has been broken for several months. The Hulon Greene Homeowners Association said the elevator experienced “the failure” in November 2023. However, residents said the elevator had been broken since September. Read the article…………………………….
2 found dead after firefighters battle Goose Creek condo fire (SC)
Two people were found dead after an early morning fire on Pine Shadow Drive. The Goose Creek Rural Fire Department responded to a fire call at 1:56 a.m. May 20 and found a “significant” fire on the first floor of a row of townhomes. Two residents had jumped from the second floor before firefighters arrived. […]
HOA dispute? How to resolve heated issues (SC)
Complaints against homeowner associations have become so common in South Carolina that the Department of Consumer Affairs said it’s the biggest growing category of all the reports they get. So 7NEWS Here to Help looked into how people can resolve many of these disputes before they get too heated. Read the article…………………………….
Homeowners say their new D.R. Horton houses are practically falling apart months after moving in (SC)
Homeowners in South Carolina say their new homes built by D.R. Horton are practically falling apart. In April of 2022, Dave Preston and his wife moved into their D.R. Horton home, but they said everything was horrific with toilets backing up, outlets not working, and parts of the home unfinished. “They [D.R. Horton] were trying […]
AMG HOA and Condominium Manager CEO Paul K. Mengert Receives Prestigious 2024 Community Associations Institute Award of Excellence in Government and Public Affairs
Paul K. Mengert, CEO of Association Management Group (AMG), was honored with the prestigious 2024 Award of Excellence in Government and Public Affairs by the Community Associations Institute (CAI) on Friday, May 10. This distinguished accolade honors individuals whose outstanding volunteer efforts have significantly propelled the government and public affairs initiatives of CAI Read the […]
Commentary: FCC’s bulk internet billing proposal well-intentioned but could harm underserved in SC
Having a high-speed internet connection is essential for so much of today’s day-to-day activities. I’ve experienced that in my daily life, have heard it from the constituents I serve as a Florence City Councilman, and know it’s critical that we do everything we can to ensure everyone who wants a connection can get one. On […]
Bluffton homeowners sue Palmetto Bluff Club over mandatory membership waiver (SC)
In an effort to reverse what some Palmetto Bluff residents see as an overreach by the developer to soften club membership requirements, five homeowners filed a lawsuit in March. The lawsuit piggybacks off of a 2022 lawsuit that demands the club become a non-profit and ownership be moved from the developer to the homeowners, as […]
Neighbors concerned over giant hole in Richland County neighborhood (SC)
Neighbors in one Richland County neighborhood are banding together to try and fix a water drainage problem that has caused a massive hole in one woman’s backyard. The large hole is in the Cameron Ridge Subdivision right off Caughman Road. Robin Odems and her neighbors tell WIS News 10 the hole in her backyard has […]
Residents question fire safety after 2-alarm fire in Carolina Forest condo complex (SC)
After a two-alarm fire ripped through a River Oaks condo Saturday morning, nearby residents are questioning their safety saying they didn’t even know it was happening. River Oaks residents claim they didn’t realize the roof of their condo building was on fire Saturday morning until a neighbor came banging on their doors. Read the article…………………………….
Goodbye turf grass: HOA embraces native plants for their gnarly roots
When James McKee became president of his community’s homeowners association three years ago, he did it for the stormwater ponds. The 13 ponds in Seaside Farms provide protection against flooding by storing excess stormwater, but McKee was surprised to learn that their main function is to clean the water. Read the article…………………………….
Employee accused of stealing over $200,000 from HOA in Anderson Co. (SC)
An employee is accused of stealing over $200,000 from a homeowners association in Anderson County. According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, detectives met with the Overlook Homeowners Association President after he noticed a large amount of money was missing from the association’s account. Read the article…………………………….
Editorial: SC is getting more HOA complaints than ever; it should act on them
Most 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 […]
Homeowners fight to keep rain garden in flood-prone James Island yard; can HOA be stopped? (SC)
Whenever 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, […]
‘Don’t see it slowing down:’ SC Consumer Affairs say Horry Co. HOA complaints on the rise
Horry 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)
A 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)
Consumer 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 […]
Surge in HOA complaints fuels calls for regulation (SC)
Consumer 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 […]
Richland Co. HOA complaints from 2023 continue to concern Lake Carolina residents (SC)
According 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…………………………….
20 displaced after 2-alarm condo building fire, officials say (SC)
When fire crews arrived to the scene they found fire moving quickly through the building and the roof, say officials. Officials also say 19 units were damaged at the condo building and 20 people have been left displaced due to the fire. Read the article…………………………….
Horry County again sees most HOA complaints filed in South Carolina, data shows
Horry County once again saw the most complaints against homeowners associations across South Carolina, according to new data. Read the article…………………………….
S. Carolina Insurer’s Bad Faith Causes $27M Loss from Policies with $2.5M Limit
A panel of the South Carolina Court of Appeals on Wednesday affirmed a trial court order requiring Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance Co. to pay an award totaling $27,339,535.46 to developer Portrait Homes and the Persimmon Hill Homeowner’ Association, even though the policies it sold Castillo’s company provided only $2.5 million in coverage. Read the […]
Hilton Head POA ex-treasurer arrested for fraud. Over $150K missing from accounts (SC)
Ex-treasurer Patricia Butville embezzled nearly $200,000 from the POA of Broad Pointe, a private gated community located off Marshland Road in central Hilton Head. Read the article………………………………
Irmo mayor at odds with his community association over campaign signs (SC)
The meeting followed Walker, who is on the ballot for re-election Nov. 7, placing campaign signs in his yard and the association deeming it inappropriate. Neighborhood policy dictates that campaign signs may “may display only the politician’s name and party affiliation and possibly his/hers contact information and be displayed no more than thirty (30) days […]
Flagpole feud in Wildewood V: A family stands firm against HOA for patriotic display (SC)
In the Columbia community of Wildewood V, a flagpole in a family’s front yard has sparked conflict between people on social media. Read the article……………………………
Emergency crews respond to fire at Charleston condominium (SC)
The fire impacted five units with three being by water damage, according to Julazadeh. Six people were inside the units when the fire started and one person was taken to a hospital, Julazadeh said. The fire department believed that she had lost one animal. Read the article……………………………
Political campaign sign problems in Archers Court neighborhood (SC)
Mark Passmore said he put up a mayoral election sign in his yard last Thursday, and one day later, he got a letter from his HOA demanding he take it down. Read the article………………………..
Sun City HOA board amends political ban (SC)
The controversy in the Sun City Carolina Lakes (SCCL) community regarding a decision by its homeowners association board to bar campaigning by declared political candidates on association property is being resolved. Read the article………………………..
Regulators talk options for coastal SC homeowners reeling with home insurance ‘crisis’
The news is out about the ongoing premium pressures hitting hundreds of property owners across South Carolina, especially the coastal region. Monday, a town hall took place hosting state leaders from across the insurance industry to handle questions about what some state leaders see as a potential crisis for homeowners. Read the article………………………..
‘Insufficient maintenance’ contributed to staircase collapse at North Myrtle Beach condo, official says (SC)
Fabbri told News13 that a lack of regular maintenance contributed to the collapse. It happened at about 10 p.m. Friday while a family of four was walking on it, according to police. Read the article………………………..