South Carolina Rent Increase Laws

South Carolina Rent Increase Laws

Last Updated: January 27, 2023 by Ashley Porter

Quick Facts Answer
Reason Needed No
Max / Limit None
Notice Requirement No Statute

Does South Carolina Have Rent Control?

No, South Carolina does not have rent control laws limiting the amount that landlords may ask for rent and state law prohibits local governments from establishing their own rent control laws.

How Much Can a Landlord Raise Rent By in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, landlords can raise the rent by any amount that they wish. There is no legal limit or cap on the amount of a rent increase.

When Can a Landlord Raise Rent in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, landlords can raise the rent for any reason as long as they give proper notice, don’t do so during the fixed term of a lease (unless the lease allows for it), and aren’t doing so for certain discriminatory or retaliatory reasons.

When Can’t a Landlord Raise Rent in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, landlords cannot raise the rent during the middle of a lease’s fixed term (unless stated otherwise in the lease agreement), for certain discriminatory reasons (like race or age), or for certain retaliatory reasons (such as in response to a tenant filing a complaint).

The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination due to:

  • Age
  • Race
  • Gender (including gender identity)
  • Sexual orientation
  • Religion
  • Nationality or origin
  • Familial status
  • Disability

South Carolina law also prevents landlords from increasing rent above fair-market value in retaliation. A rent increase by a landlord is considered retaliatory if it occurs after a tenant files a complaint with the landlord or appropriate agency regarding the health or safety of the property.

However, landlords may increase rent on five or more adjoining units above fair-market value without a presumption of retaliation if the increase applies to all tenants uniformly.

The law does not specify what time period between the tenant action and rent increase qualifies as retaliation, so landlords should act in good faith when increasing rent.

How Much Notice is Needed to Raise Rent in South Carolina?

Unlike many other states, South Carolina law does not require a specific notice period before raising rent.

Even though state law has no minimum notice period, South Carolina law still requires that landlords act in good faith, meaning they must give the tenant reasonable notice when increasing rent. In many states, one month is considered reasonable.

How Often Can Rent Be Increased in South Carolina?

Landlords in South Carolina can increase the rent as often as they wish, as long as reasonable notice is provided each time.

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