Charleston, SC local landlord rules
State law also applies. See South Carolina landlord-tenant law and the South Carolina landlord FAQ. State rules: Security deposit limit · Deposit return deadline · Notice to enter · Late fees · Eviction notice (nonpayment) · Rent increase notice.
Quick facts
| Topic | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Rental licensing / registration | In Charleston, landlords must register rental units located in a residential rental registration district with the city (§ 7-128). Code text: "(a) No landlord shall operate any residential rental unit within a residential rental registration district unless that landlord has registered the residential rental unit with the city." |
Details & sources
Rental licensing / registration
In Charleston, landlords must register rental units located in a residential rental registration district with the city (§ 7-128). Code text: "(a) No landlord shall operate any residential rental unit within a residential rental registration district unless that landlord has registered the residential rental unit with the city."
Verified Source: Charleston, SC Code of Ordinances § 7-128 · last checked 2026-10-16
Back to quick facts ↑Research coverage
0 of 13 topics checked at the local level (state law is covered on the state page). A topic counts as checked only when every subtopic in it is checked or no additional requirement was found after a recorded full read. How coverage works.
| Topic | Status | Subtopics done |
|---|---|---|
| Deposits | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
| Deposit return deadlines | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Rent increases and rent control | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Late fees | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Landlord entry | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Repairs and habitability | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Screening and application fees | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Fair housing and assistance animals | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Disclosures | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
| Renewal and termination | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Eviction | Not researched | 0 of 3 |
| Registration and licensing | Partially researched | 1 of 3 |
| Short-term rentals | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
Also applies statewide
South Carolina rules that also apply in Charleston:
- Security deposit limit
- No maximum. The governing section regulates return and itemization of deposits but sets no cap on the amount. Verified Source: S.C. Code § 27-40-410 · last checked 2026-10-27 · Full South Carolina security deposit limit page
- Deposit return deadline
- Itemized deductions and any refund are due within 30 days after the tenancy ends, possession is delivered and the tenant makes a demand, whichever is later. Verified Source: S.C. Code § 27-40-410(a) · last checked 2026-10-27 · Full South Carolina deposit return deadline page
- Notice to enter
- At least 24 hours' notice, entry at reasonable times (exceptions for emergencies and certain scheduled or tenant-requested services). Verified Source: S.C. Code § 27-40-530 · last checked 2026-10-27 · Full South Carolina notice to enter page
- Late fees
- South Carolina's landlord-tenant law (S.C. Code tit. 27, ch. 40 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act), reviewed by full-text search on 2026-10-15) sets no late-fee cap (late charges are simply counted as rent, § 27-40-210); the lease terms control. Verified Source: S.C. Code tit. 27, ch. 40 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) · last checked 2026-10-27 · Full South Carolina late fees page
Other South Carolina cities
- Cayce landlord rules
- Columbia landlord rules
- Duncan landlord rules
- Irmo landlord rules
- Newberry landlord rules
- Port Royal landlord rules
- Rock Hill landlord rules
- Simpsonville landlord rules
- Sumter landlord rules
- Travelers Rest landlord rules
- Walhalla landlord rules
Back to South Carolina landlord-tenant law
Get alerts when South Carolina's landlord laws change
A short email when a rule on this site changes. Free, unsubscribe anytime.