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.
Columbia, SC
Columbia prohibits dogs that bark excessively and disturb neighbors. Columbia Animal Services handles complaints about nuisance barking.
Columbia, SC
Columbia regulates noise under Chapter 8, Article III (Noise) of the Code of Ordinances. The city prohibits unreasonable noise that disturbs the peace, with ...
Columbia, SC
Columbia requires vehicles to be parked on improved surfaces. Parking on unimproved areas in residential zones is a code violation.
Columbia, SC
Columbia regulates on-street parking with time limits, metered downtown areas, and restrictions near hydrants and intersections.
Columbia, SC
Columbia restricts parking of large commercial vehicles in residential areas through zoning regulations.
Columbia, SC
South Carolina does not require neighbor consent to build a fence. Fences must be within property lines. SC has no general fence cost-sharing statute.
See how Columbia'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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.