In South Carolina, a landlord’s right to access is governed by the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (§ 27-40-530). While tenants have a right to privacy, the law provides several specific scenarios where a landlord can enter without immediate consent.
Notice Requirements
For most non-emergency situations (inspections or repairs), the landlord must:
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Provide at least 24 hours’ notice.
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Enter only at reasonable times.
When Permission is NOT Required
A landlord may enter without the tenant’s consent or advance notice in these specific cases:
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Emergencies: To address immediate threats to life or property. This includes “prospective changes in weather” that likely pose a danger to the property.
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Scheduled Services: Between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. for periodic maintenance (like pest control or filter changes) if the service is explicitly listed in the lease and the landlord announces their intent before entering.
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Requested Services: Between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. to perform repairs or services requested by the tenant, provided the landlord announces their intent upon arrival.
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Court Orders & Abandonment: If the landlord has a court order, is accompanied by law enforcement for an eviction, or has reasonable belief the property is abandoned.
The information for this answer was found on our South Carolina Landlord Tenant Rights answers.