South Carolina Late fees
Can a landlord charge a late fee in South Carolina, and how much?
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
How this works in South Carolina
South Carolina's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act sets no late-fee cap. Late charges are simply counted as rent under § 27-40-210, and the lease terms control.
Worked example for South Carolina
Say your lease sets rent of $1,050 and a $50 late charge. If the tenant is late, the act counts the $50 as rent, so the amount owed is $1,100. No cap in the act limits the $50.
South Carolina timelines and limits
| State late-fee cap | None in S.C. Code tit. 27, ch. 40 |
|---|---|
| Treatment | Late charges count as rent (§ 27-40-210) |
| What governs | The lease |
South Carolina FAQ
Does South Carolina cap late fees?
The act sets no late-fee cap. The lease terms control.
Are late fees rent in South Carolina?
Yes. Late charges are counted as rent under § 27-40-210.
Which South Carolina law was searched?
S.C. Code tit. 27, ch. 40, the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, by full-text search on 2026-10-15.
Sources for this section: S.C. Code tit. 27, ch. 40 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) (checked 2026-10-27)
Same topic in neighboring states
All South Carolina landlord-tenant law · South Carolina landlord FAQ · Security deposit limit · Deposit return deadline · Notice to enter · Required lease disclosures · Required disclosures (mold, lead, radon, bedbug, asbestos, flood zone)
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