Dorchester County, SC Rental Inspections: Tenant Complaint Process (2026)
Key Facts
- Complaint threshold
- 5 residents, or administrator's own motion
- Hearing window
- 10 to 30 days after service
- Repair deadline
- Work must start within 60 days
- Demolition trigger
- Repair cost over 50% of fair market value
- Appeal window
- 60 days to petition circuit court
Summary
Tenants and neighbors can force a county inspection of a substandard dwelling by getting five residents to sign a complaint under Code § 6-64, or the county administrator can act on his own motion. A hearing follows within 10 to 30 days, and the owner can be ordered to repair or vacate.
Whenever a complaint or petition is filed with the county administrator or his designated representative(s), by at least five residents of the county, charging that any dwelling is unfit for human habitation or whenever it appears to the county administrator or his designated representative(s), on his own motion, that any dwelling is unfit for human habitation, the county administrator or his designated representative(s) shall, if his preliminary investigation discloses a basis for such charges, issue and cause to be served upon the owner and all parties of interest in such dwelling, a complaint or notice in letter form, stating the charges and that a hearing may be held before the county administrator or his designated representative(s), not less than ten days nor more than 30 calendar days after the service of such complaint or letter
Full Breakdown
Article IV of Chapter 6, adopted by Ord. No. C. , lets the county administrator or a designated representative investigate any dwelling reported as unfit for human habitation. Under § 6-64(a), the process starts either when at least five county residents file a written complaint or petition, or when the administrator acts on his own motion. If a preliminary investigation finds a basis for the charges, the administrator must serve the owner and all parties of interest with a notice or letter stating the charges and scheduling a hearing not less than 10 days nor more than 30 calendar days after service; owners get the right to answer and to appear and testify.
Section 6-62 lists the conditions that can support an unfit finding: dilapidation, fire or accident hazards, lack of ventilation, light, or sanitary facilities, disrepair, structural defects, uncleanliness, and extreme deterioration. If, after the hearing, the administrator finds the dwelling unfit under § 6-64(b), he must issue written findings and serve an order under § 6-65 requiring repair (with permits secured and work started within 60 days) if repair costs no more than 50% of fair market value under § 6-66, or removal/demolition if repair would exceed that threshold.
Owners who ignore the order face county-ordered repair, closure, or demolition under § 6-67, with costs recovered as a lien on the property collectible like county taxes under § 6-70.
Violations & Fines
Failure by the owner to comply with a repair or vacate-and-close order lets the administrator repair, or vacate and close, the dwelling and post a placard reading it is unfit for human habitation under § 6-67(a); failure to comply with a demolition order lets the county remove or demolish the structure under § 6-67(b) and bill the owner via a property tax lien under § 6-70. Owners may petition the circuit court for an injunction within 60 days of the order under § 6-68.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get Dorchester County to inspect a rental unit I think is unfit to live in?
What can the county order after an unfit dwelling hearing?
What happens if the landlord ignores the order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dorchester County
Compare Dorchester County to another location·View the South Carolina rental inspections overview
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