Landlord-tenant law

South Carolina Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notice periods, lease termination requirements, and late fee rules for South Carolina.

Not legal advice. Current as of May 2026. Verify with a local attorney before any compliance decision.

$
Security Deposit Max
No statutory limit
S.C. Code § 27-40-410
↩
Deposit Return Deadline
30 days
S.C. Code § 27-40-410(b)
!
Non-Payment Eviction Notice
5-day notice to pay or quit
S.C. Code § 27-40-710(B)
✕
Month-to-Month Termination
30 days
S.C. Code § 27-40-770(b)
¢
Late Fee Cap
No statutory cap (must be reasonable and stated in lease)
⏱
Grace Period
No statutory grace period
South Carolina specific notes

South Carolina's treble damages provision (§ 27-40-910) for wrongful deposit withholding makes documentation critical. Charleston and Columbia do not have additional local landlord-tenant ordinances.

FAQ

Common South Carolina landlord questions

What is the maximum security deposit in South Carolina?+
No statutory limit. Governed by S.C. Code § 27-40-410. Deposit must be returned within 30 days after the lease ends.
What notice is required to evict a tenant in South Carolina for non-payment of rent?+
5-day notice to pay or quit. Per S.C. Code § 27-40-710(B). This is the notice period before a landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.
How much notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in South Carolina?+
30 days. Per S.C. Code § 27-40-770(b). This applies to no-cause terminations of month-to-month leases.
Are late fees regulated in South Carolina?+
No statutory cap (must be reasonable and stated in lease). Grace period: No statutory grace period. Even where no statutory cap exists, late fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed in the lease.
References

Authoritative sources for South Carolina

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Deposit Limits — All 50
Side-by-side max deposit and return deadlines.
Eviction Notice — All 50
Notice periods for non-payment and termination.
Late Fee Laws — All 50
Caps and grace periods.
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