South Carolina Eviction Notice Requirements

Under the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, if rent is unpaid when due and the tenant does not pay within 5 days of the due date, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement, as long as the landlord has given written notice of the nonpayment and of the intent to terminate. For other material lease violations, the notice gives the tenant 14 days to fix the problem. A month-to-month tenancy ends with at least 30 days' written notice from either side.

A lease-violation notice must describe the acts or omissions that make up the breach and state that the agreement will end on a date at least 14 days after the tenant receives it if the breach is not remedied. For nonpayment, the written notice requirement is met once per lease term, and it is also met if the written lease contains the conspicuous statement set out in S.C. Code § 27-40-710(B), in which case no separate notice is needed. Keep a copy and proof of delivery.

If the tenant does not pay, cure, or leave, the landlord applies to the magistrate court for an ejectment. The magistrate issues a rule requiring the tenant to vacate or to show cause within 10 days after service why the tenant should not be ejected. South Carolina prohibits landlords from recovering possession by self-help, including by interrupting essential services, and a tenant who is unlawfully removed or excluded can recover damages.