Under S.C. Code § 27-40-440, landlords must comply with building and housing codes, keep the premises fit and habitable, and maintain electrical, plumbing, heating, and other systems. If the landlord fails to repair, the tenant may, under § 27-40-630, do limited repair-and-deduct work capped at $500 or one month's rent.
S.C. Code § 27-40-440 requires the landlord to comply with building and housing codes, "make all repairs and do whatever is reasonably necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition," keep common areas safe, and maintain electrical, gas, plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning facilities in good working order. If the landlord fails to maintain the unit, the tenant may give written notice under § 27-40-610 and terminate if the breach is not cured in 14 days. For minor defects, § 27-40-630 permits a tenant, after written notice and a 14-day wait, to have the work done and deduct the actual and reasonable cost, but only up to $500 or one month's periodic rent, with statutory limits on how repair-and-deduct relief may be used.
A tenant may terminate the lease, recover actual damages, and obtain attorney's fees for a willful landlord breach under § 27-40-610, or use the limited repair-and-deduct remedy under § 27-40-630. There is no fixed statutory fine; relief is through civil action.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Charleston, SC
Charleston does not regulate residential lawn ornaments such as statues, garden gnomes, flamingos, religious displays, or holiday figures on private property...
Charleston, SC
Charleston's sign provisions in the Zoning Ordinance (Title 54) prohibit commercial inflatable advertising devices, balloons, and similar wind-driven attenti...
Charleston, SC
Charleston does not impose general municipal time limits on residential holiday lights, and the Zoning Ordinance sign provisions exempt non-commercial reside...
Charleston, SC
Outdoor kitchens with permanent gas lines, water/sewer connections, electrical wiring, or roofed structures require permits in Charleston. A covered or walle...
Charleston, SC
Charcoal, wood, and pellet smokers are treated as open-flame cooking devices under the 2021 IFC adopted by South Carolina. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits thei...
Charleston, SC
Charleston follows the 2021 International Fire Code as adopted by the South Carolina Building Codes Council. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking...
See how Charleston's repairs & habitability rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.