South Carolina Rent withholding / escrow

Can a tenant withhold rent for repairs in South Carolina?

In an eviction for nonpayment, the tenant can raise the landlord's noncompliance as a defense or counterclaim, but notice rules apply (for non-essential services the landlord must have had notice 14 days before rent was due). When the tenant raises such defenses, the tenant must keep paying rent as it comes due, and the court can set it at fair-market rental value. There's no rent escrow program.

Verified Source: S.C. Code §§ 27-40-640, 27-40-790 · last checked 2026-10-27