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.
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