Landlord Rules in South Carolina: Renting Out Property (2026)

Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · South Carolina · Last updated 2026-05-18

In South Carolina, every step of the landlord life-cycle is controlled by South Carolina statute: registration, disclosure, deposit handling, entry, termination, eviction, and fair-housing exposure. Two anchors orient the rest: deposit timing (30 days) and month-to-month termination notice (30 days). This guide details each step in the South Carolina sequence.

Key Considerations

The day-to-day rules in a South Carolina tenancy revolve around notice. To enter the unit, at least twenty-four hours notice To end a month-to-month, 30 days

If you let property in South Carolina, two threshold compliance points apply before move-in. Registration or licensing status: No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. Security-deposit treatment: No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. Refund window after surrender: 30 days

The eviction sequence in South Carolina starts with statutory notice and ends in court. Any tenant may be ejected in the following manner, to wit: Upon application by the landlord or his agent or attorney any magistrate having jurisdiction shall issue a written rule requiring the tenant forthwith to vacate the premises occupied by him or to show cause why he should not be ejected before the magistrate within ten days after service of a copy of such rule upon the tenant. Outside that sequence, fair-housing law applies to advertising, screening, terms, and termination. The complaint URL is

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Residential Lease Agreement Rental Application Form Move-In/Move-Out Inspection Checklist

Relevant Documents

For a South Carolina tenancy, the document set runs from the lease (with South Carolina disclosures embedded) to the entry-notice template, the deposit-itemization form, and the statutory eviction notice that South Carolina law requires before any court filing.

Landlord's Rules and Regulations

A supplementary document to the lease that outlines specific rules for the property, such as quiet hours, guest policies, and maintenance responsibilities.

Move-In/Move-Out Inspection Checklist

A document that records the condition of the rental property before the tenant moves in and after they move out, which helps determine if any damage occurred during the tenancy.

Notice of Entry Form

A document used by landlords to notify tenants of their intent to enter the rental property, typically required by state law with specific advance notice periods.

Rental Application Form

A form used to collect information about potential tenants, including employment history, income, references, and authorization for background and credit checks.

Residential Lease Agreement

A legally binding contract between a landlord and tenant that outlines the terms and conditions of the rental arrangement, including rent amount, security deposit, lease duration, and other important provisions.

Security Deposit Receipt

A document acknowledging the landlord's receipt of the security deposit, including the amount, date received, and where the deposit will be held.

Relevant Laws

South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act

This is the primary law governing landlord-tenant relationships in South Carolina. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants, including security deposit limits (maximum of two months' rent), required disclosures, and eviction procedures. As a landlord in South Carolina, you must comply with these regulations when renting your property.

Security Deposit Requirements

South Carolina law does not specify a maximum security deposit amount, but landlords typically cannot charge more than two months' rent. You must return the security deposit within 30 days after the tenant moves out, along with an itemized list of any deductions. Failure to comply can result in the tenant being awarded up to three times the wrongfully withheld amount plus attorney's fees.

Landlord Entry and Access Rights

In South Carolina, landlords must provide at least 24 hours' notice before entering a rental property, except in emergencies. This law protects tenants' right to privacy while allowing landlords reasonable access to inspect, make repairs, or show the property to prospective tenants.

Habitability Requirements

South Carolina law requires landlords to maintain rental properties in a habitable condition. This includes complying with building and housing codes, making necessary repairs, keeping common areas clean and safe, providing garbage receptacles, and maintaining essential services like electricity, heat, and water. Failure to meet these requirements can lead to tenant remedies including rent withholding or lease termination.

Eviction Procedures

South Carolina has specific legal procedures for evicting tenants. You must provide proper written notice (typically 5 days for nonpayment of rent), file an eviction lawsuit if the tenant doesn't comply, and obtain a court order before removing a tenant. Self-help evictions (changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities) are illegal and can result in penalties.

Fair Housing Act

Federal law prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. South Carolina's Fair Housing Law provides similar protections. As a landlord, you cannot discriminate against potential tenants based on these protected characteristics in advertising, tenant selection, lease terms, or property access.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

Federal law requires landlords of properties built before 1978 to disclose known information about lead-based paint hazards before leases take effect. You must provide tenants with an EPA-approved pamphlet on lead hazards and include specific disclosure language in leases. This is crucial for protecting tenants' health and avoiding legal liability.

Regional Variances

Coastal Areas

Charleston has specific regulations for short-term rentals in historic districts. Property owners must obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit and comply with zoning ordinances. Properties in the Old and Historic District face stricter regulations, including owner-occupancy requirements and limitations on the number of rental days per year.

Myrtle Beach has distinct zoning regulations for vacation rentals. Short-term rentals are primarily allowed in tourist-oriented zones, and owners must obtain a business license and remit accommodations taxes. The city also enforces occupancy limits and parking requirements specific to rental properties.

Hilton Head requires short-term rental permits and business licenses. The island has specific noise ordinances, trash collection schedules, and parking regulations for rental properties. Many gated communities on the island have their own additional restrictions through HOA regulations.

Major Urban Areas

Columbia requires landlords to register rental properties with the city and obtain a business license. The city has a rental housing ordinance that mandates regular inspections of rental properties. Columbia also enforces specific maintenance standards that may be more stringent than state requirements.

Greenville has implemented short-term rental regulations requiring permits and business licenses. The city distinguishes between owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied rentals, with different requirements for each. Downtown areas have specific zoning restrictions that may limit rental activities.

University Towns

Clemson has specific regulations addressing student housing rentals, including occupancy limits (no more than 3 unrelated individuals in certain zones). The city requires rental property registration and has noise ordinances specifically targeting rental properties in predominantly student areas.

Rock Hill (home to Winthrop University) has rental inspection programs and occupancy limitations. The city enforces specific parking regulations in neighborhoods near the university and requires landlords to maintain properties according to enhanced standards in designated overlay districts.

Suggested Compliance Checklist

Audit state and city registration rules for the property's location

Before listing days after starting

No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable.

Calculate the security deposit so it stays under the legal ceiling

Before signing days after starting

No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable.

Bundle the mandatory disclosures into the lease packet

At lease signing days after starting

A landlord or any person authorized to enter into a rental agreement on his behalf shall disclose to the tenant in writing at or before the commencement of the tenancy the name and address of an owner of the premises or a person authorized to act on behalf of the owner as agent, inter alia, for purposes of service of process and receiving or receipting notices or demands.

Treat eviction as a strict statutory process, not a self-help action

Ongoing days after starting

Any tenant may be ejected in the following manner, to wit: Upon application by the landlord or his agent or attorney any magistrate having jurisdiction shall issue a written rule requiring the tenant forthwith to vacate the premises occupied by him or to show cause why he should not be ejected before the magistrate within ten days after service of a copy of such rule upon the tenant.

Refund or itemize the deposit before the statutory cut-off

As needed days after starting

30 days

Match the month-to-month termination notice to the statutory minimum

At move-out days after starting

30 days

Document: lease-termination-letter

Honor the entry-notice rule for every non-emergency visit

If eviction needed days after starting

at least twenty-four hours notice

Document screening criteria and adverse decisions against fair-housing standards