South Carolina sets no statutory cap on a residential security deposit. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410, when a tenancy ends the landlord must refund the deposit, less any accrued rent and damages, and itemize every deduction in a written notice within 30 days after termination, delivery of possession, and the tenant's demand, whichever is later.
S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410(a) requires that any deduction "must be itemized by the landlord in a written notice to the tenant together with the amount due, if any, within thirty days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession and demand by the tenant, whichever is later." Deductions are limited to accrued rent and damages from the tenant's noncompliance with § 27-40-510. Landlords renting more than four adjoining units who use different deposit standards for different tenants must post or provide a written statement of how deposits are calculated; failure forfeits the right to deduct the difference above the lowest comparable deposit. The statute imposes no maximum deposit amount.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410(b), if a landlord wrongfully withholds a security deposit or prepaid rent, the tenant "may recover the property and money in an amount equal to three times the amount wrongfully withheld and reasonable attorney's fees." The tenant must first provide a forwarding address in writing for the notice and any refund.
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