South Carolina Rent Increase Notice Requirements

The South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (S.C. Code Title 27, Chapter 40) contains no provision limiting the amount of rent or setting a rent-increase notice period, and the state has no rent control. During a fixed-term lease, the rent stated in the agreement controls and cannot be raised before the term ends unless the lease allows it. For a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord imposes new rent by terminating the existing terms; under S.C. Code § 27-40-770 either party may end a month-to-month tenancy with at least 30 days' written notice, so a tenant who rejects a higher rent is entitled to at least that period. Otherwise the amount and timing of any increase are governed entirely by the written lease.

No specific statutory penalty. A rent increase that breaches the lease terms or is imposed in retaliation for a tenant exercising rights under § 27-40-910 may be challenged in civil court.