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Rent Control Laws in South Carolina

South Carolina has no statewide rent cap, and state law bars counties and cities from regulating rent for private residential or commercial property.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

South Carolina at a glance

Statewide rent cap
No
No state statute capping private residential rent was found.
Local rent control banned
Yes, banned by state law
Local governments may still regulate rents on their own property or by agreement with private owners.
Local rent control
None, state law bars local rent control

Sources

Last checked

The rules in South Carolina

Does South Carolina have a statewide rent cap?

No. Statewide rent cap in South Carolina: no. No state statute capping private residential rent was found.

Does South Carolina law ban cities from adopting rent control?

Yes, banned by state law. Local rent control banned in South Carolina: yes, banned by state law. Local governments may still regulate rents on their own property or by agreement with private owners.

Which cities in South Carolina have rent control?

Local rent control in South Carolina: None, state law bars local rent control.

Where do the South Carolina rent control laws come from?

The rules above come from S.C. Code 27-39-60. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Even where there is no rent control, a landlord usually cannot raise the rent during a fixed-term lease unless the lease allows it. Increases normally take effect at renewal or after written notice for a month-to-month tenancy, and notice periods are set by state law.

Rent caps and rent stabilization rules commonly have exemptions, such as buildings built in recent years, owner-occupied duplexes, or units owned by individuals rather than companies. A unit can sit in a covered city and still be exempt, so read the coverage section of the law closely.

Local rent control ordinances change through ballot measures and council votes more often than state law does. If you rent or own property in a city that regulates rent, check the city or county housing department for the current allowable increase and any registration requirements.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.

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