How much notice must a landlord give before entering in South Carolina?

Landlords in South Carolina must provide at least 24 hours notice before entering a rental unit.

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South Carolina
Landlord Laws
2026 Complete Guide

Q: Does South Carolina have rent control?

No, South Carolina does not have statewide rent control. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice.

Everything a landlord needs to know about South Carolina law — eviction process, security deposits, entry rights, rent control status, and local court resources.

SC Magistrate Courts →Eviction Guide

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📋

Notice Period

5 days

⏱️

Full Eviction

~28 days

💰

Deposit Max

None

🔑

Entry Notice

24 hrs

💳

Late Fee Cap

None

✅

Rent Control

Live Market Data · RentCast

South Carolina Rental Market

Current rents by bedroom · top metro breakdowns · YoY trend

Mar 29, 2026

1 Bedroom

$1,294

2 Bedrooms

$1,509

3 Bedrooms

$1,825

YoY Trend

-2.2%

Days on Market

29d

Columbia N

29203

1BR$995

2BR$1,000

3BR$1,450

YoY

-0.4%

DOM

31.07d

Listings

125

Charleston N

29405

1BR$1,592

2BR$2,018

3BR$2,199

YoY

-4.1%

DOM

26.16d

Listings

328

South Carolina Eviction Process

Complete timeline for removing a non-paying or violating tenant in South Carolina

Serve Notice

5-day written notice for non-payment of rent. Must be delivered personally or posted on door.

File Complaint

If tenant fails to pay or vacate after 5 days, file an eviction complaint at your local court. Filing fee: $80–$150.

Court Hearing

Hearing typically scheduled 7–14 days after filing. Bring your lease, all notices, rent ledger, and any communications with the tenant.

Judgment & Possession

If you win, the court issues a judgment for possession. Tenant typically has 24–72 hours to vacate. If not, obtain a writ of possession.

ESTIMATED TOTAL TIMELINE

Filing + Hearing (14d)

Judgment (7d)

Average total: 28 days from notice to possession. US average is ~50 days.

Security Deposit Rules

South Carolina security deposit laws, limits, and return requirements

💰

Maximum Deposit

None

Per current statutes

📅

Return Deadline

14–45 days

After tenant vacates

📋

Itemization Required

Yes

Written itemization of deductions

📈

Interest Required

Required in some high-reg states

Rights & Responsibilities

What both parties are entitled to under South Carolina law

✅ Landlord Rights

→No deposit cap

→No rent control

→Fast rules to vacate

⚖️ Tenant Rights

→Habitability

→24-hr notice for routine entry

Required Disclosures

Items you must disclose to tenants in South Carolina before or at lease signing

📄 Lead paint

Rent Control Status

South Carolina rent increase and rent control laws

✅

No Rent Control in South Carolina

South Carolina has no statewide rent control law. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice (typically 30 days for month-to-month, or at lease end for fixed terms).

South Carolina Landlord FAQs

Common questions answered — also powers Google rich results

How long does eviction take in South Carolina?+

The average eviction timeline in South Carolina is 28 days from notice to possession. The pay-or-quit notice period is 5 days. Filing fee is $80–$150.

What is the security deposit limit in South Carolina?+

In South Carolina, the security deposit maximum is None. Landlords must return the deposit with an itemized statement of deductions.

Does South Carolina have rent control?+

No. South Carolina has no statewide rent control. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice — typically 30 days for month-to-month tenancies.

How much entry notice is required in South Carolina?+

Landlords in South Carolina must provide at least 24 hours written notice before entering a rental unit.