South Carolina Tenant Rights Laws
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed September 21, 2017
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From Charleston to Greenville, renters in South Carolina know there are plenty of problems that can arise within the landlord-tenant relationship. Thankfully, in addition to federal and local rules, there are many state laws governing these issues to help you understand your rights and obligations. The article below discusses some important South Carolina tenant rights laws.
Tenant Rights: From Discrimination to Eviction
First, South Carolina law protects you against discrimination based on race, disability, familial status, and other protected characteristics. This means a landlord can't refuse to rent to you or offer alternative terms in your rental agreement simply because you exhibit a certain trait.
You're also entitled to live in a unit that's in fit, habitable condition, and free from harassment by your landlord. In most cases, your landlord can't enter the unit without your consent and is required to give 24 hours' notice before performing agreed-upon repairs, inspections, or showing the unit to prospective buyers or renters. However, no consent is necessary for emergencies and the provision of certain regularly scheduled services specified in the rental agreement, such as pest control and changing air-conditioning filters.
Since these and other laws are meant to protect you from unfair practices within the landlord-tenant relationship, it's also illegal for your landlord to retaliate against you for asserting your rights. This includes raising the rent above fair market value or evicting you simply because you requested repairs or complained to a government authority about certain code violations.
South Carolina Tenant Rights Laws at a Glance
The following chart provides a summary of South Carolina state laws governing the landlord-tenant relationship, including links to important code sections.
Statutes |
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Security Deposits |
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Paying Rent |
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Living Conditions |
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Discrimination |
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Ending or Renewing a Tenancy |
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Retaliation |
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Note: State regulations are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
South Carolina Tenant Rights Laws: Related Resources
- South Carolina Lease and Rental Agreement Laws
- Rights and Duties of Tenants in South Carolina
- Tenant Lease Agreement FAQs
- Tenants' Rights Basics
- U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development in South Carolina
- South Carolina Fair Housing
Receive a Free Evaluation of Your Rental Issues
Even with access to key statutes and important rules, it can be difficult to know how to go about asserting your rights in a particular situation. Whether your landlord is nice but unresponsive, or the perfect example of a slumlord, having a legal professional look at your case can provide direction and peace of mind. Receive a free case review to better understand your rights and options under South Carolina tenant rights laws.
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