South Carolina Habitability and Repair Standards

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.