Horry County, SC Rental Inspections: Tenant Complaint Process (2026)

Section 6-140 of the Horry County Code lets at least five residents of the county file a complaint or petition with the county administrator charging that a dwelling is unfit for human habitation; the administrator can also open a case on his own initiative. If a preliminary investigation finds a basis for the charge, and county council approves by resolution, the administrator serves the owner and every party of interest a written complaint and schedules a hearing between 10 and 30 calendar days later, where the owner may answer and testify.

Unfitness findings under Section 6-120 rest on conditions like dilapidation, fire hazards, inadequate ventilation or sanitation, structural deterioration, or conditions dangerous to health and safety. Following the hearing, if the administrator determines the dwelling is unfit, Section 6-150 requires a written order describing the property, the specific unfit conditions, and either a demolition timeline or a repair deadline of 60 days to start work. Section 6-160 gives the owner the choice to repair if the cost is 50 percent or less of fair market value, or requires removal or demolition if repair would exceed that threshold.

If the owner does nothing, Section 6-170 lets the county administrator repair, close, post, or demolish the dwelling itself and place a tax lien on the property for the cost. An owner has 60 days to appeal to circuit court under Section 6-180.