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South Carolina Tenant Rights Help — Get Your Action Plan in 60 Seconds

Landlord kept your deposit? Entered without notice? Threatening eviction? Describe what happened in your own words and get a plain-English breakdown, severity rating, step-by-step next steps, and ready-to-send letters — specific to South Carolina law.

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South Carolina tenant law, at a glance

South Carolina landlords must return the deposit within 30 days with an itemized statement of deductions (§ 27-40-410), though the state sets no cap on deposit amounts; bad-faith retention can trigger treble damages. Landlords must give 24 hours' notice before non-emergency entry (§ 27-40-530). For nonpayment, the landlord must give written demand and wait 5 days before terminating, which is commonly treated as a 5-day grace period.

Free legal help in South Carolina

Common questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in South Carolina?

30 days after move-out, with an itemized statement for any deductions.

Can my landlord enter without notice in South Carolina?

Landlords must generally give 24-hour notice before entering, except in emergencies.

Can my landlord evict me without going to court in South Carolina?

No. Eviction requires a court process — lockouts, belongings removal, and utility shutoffs without a court order are illegal.

Where can I get free legal help with a landlord dispute in South Carolina?

South Carolina Legal Services at 1-888-346-5592. You can also call or text 211 for local referrals.

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