Landlord Entry Laws in South Carolina

How much notice does a landlord have to give in South Carolina?

Under S.C. Code § 27-40-530 (entry); § 27-40-660 (remedies), landlords in South Carolina must give at least 24 hours' advance notice before entering your rental unit for non-emergency purposes. The statute does not require the notice to be in writing, though written notice is better practice.

Even with proper notice, entry is restricted to reasonable hours.

What is your landlord allowed to enter for in South Carolina?

Under S.C. Code § 27-40-530 (entry); § 27-40-660 (remedies), permitted entry reasons in South Carolina include:

• Repairs and maintenance
• Inspections
• Showing to prospective tenants
• Showing to prospective buyers
• Agreed-upon services
• Emergencies

What counts as an emergency in South Carolina?

Emergency entry permitted without notice at any time under § 27-40-530. South Carolina expressly includes 'prospective changes in weather conditions which pose a likelihood of danger to the property' as an emergency — an SC-specific expansion of the URLTA model.

What are your remedies if your landlord enters without notice in South Carolina?

If your landlord violates entry rules in South Carolina, your remedies under S.C. Code § 27-40-530 (entry); § 27-40-660 (remedies) may include:

• Court order stopping future violations (injunction)
• Right to terminate the lease
• Actual damages
• Attorney's fees and court costs

In practice, start by documenting the unauthorized entry (photos, texts, a written log), then send a written objection citing the statute. If violations continue, consult a local tenant-rights attorney or your state's housing court.

Important South Carolina-specific notes

South Carolina's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA-derived) requires at least 24 hours' notice of intent to enter at reasonable times under § 27-40-530. The statute contains SC-specific carve-outs: the landlord may enter at any time in emergencies (including prospective weather that threatens the property); between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. for regularly scheduled periodic services (e.g., filter changes, pest treatment) if the right is conspicuously stated in writing in the rental agreement and prior notice is given; and between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. for tenant-requested services, with announced entry. The tenant may not change locks without the landlord's permission. The landlord may not abuse the access right or use it to harass the tenant. Remedies for access abuse flow from § 27-40-660 (injunction, lease termination, actual damages) and § 27-40-610 (attorney's fees for willful noncompliance).