South Carolina Rent Increase Laws

By Oleg Kachko · Updated June 10, 2026

✓ Law Verified June 2026

This guide explains south carolina rent increase laws in plain English — whether there is a cap on how much your landlord can raise your rent, how much notice they must give, which South Carolina cities have local rent control, and what to do if an increase looks illegal. All figures are from South Carolina law, verified as of June 2026.

In This South Carolina Guide:

Key Rules
Local Rent Control
What to Do
Official Sources

South Carolina Rent Increase Rules at a Glance

Statewide rent cap	NO — South Carolina has no statewide rent cap. There is no limit on how much a landlord can raise rent. Landlords may increase rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or rental period, as long as proper notice is given. A proposed bill (H.3346, the South Carolina Rent Control Act) would cap increases at 7% plus CPI per year, but as of June 2026 this bill has not been enacted into law.
Notice required before increase	South Carolina has no statute requiring a specific number of days’ notice before a rent increase. However, under S.C. Code § 27-40-770, a month-to-month tenancy requires 30 days’ written notice to terminate or change terms (including rent). For week-to-week tenancies, 7 days’ notice is required to terminate. For fixed-term leases, the landlord cannot raise rent until the lease expires, and no statutory notice period applies — the new rent is typically presented at renewal. Tenants should check their lease for any notice-of-increase clause the landlord included.
How often rent can be raised	No statutory limit. South Carolina law does not restrict how often a landlord can raise rent. However, rent cannot be increased during a fixed-term lease unless the lease specifically allows it. For month-to-month tenancies, a landlord could theoretically raise rent every 30 days with proper written notice.
During a fixed-term lease	NO — A South Carolina landlord generally cannot raise rent during a fixed-term lease unless the lease agreement contains a specific clause allowing mid-lease increases. If no such clause exists, the rent amount is locked for the full lease term. Any rent increase takes effect only when the lease expires and a new term begins (or the tenancy converts to month-to-month).

Retaliatory increases: YES — South Carolina prohibits retaliatory rent increases under S.C. Code § 27-40-910. A landlord may not raise rent above fair market value in retaliation after: (1) a tenant complains to a government agency about building or housing code violations affecting health and safety, or (2) a tenant complains to the landlord about violations of the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

If a landlord retaliates, the tenant may recover up to 3 months’ rent or twice actual damages (whichever is greater), plus reasonable attorney’s fees. Exception: a landlord who rents more than 4 adjoining units may increase rent uniformly across all tenants without a presumption of retaliation, as long as rent does not exceed fair market value.

South Carolina Cities With Local Rent Control

NONE — No city or county in South Carolina has local rent control. State law (S.C. Code § 27-39-60) prohibits any county or municipality from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance that regulates the amount of rent charged for privately owned residential or commercial rental property.

Exempt properties: Because South Carolina has no rent control, there are no exemptions to track. All privately owned rental properties — including single-family homes, apartments, new construction, and commercial units — are unregulated as to rent amount.

State preemption: YES — South Carolina preempts all local rent control. S.C. Code § 27-39-60 states: “No county or municipal corporation may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance or resolution which would regulate in any way the amount of rent to be charged for privately owned, single family, or multiple unit residential, or commercial rental property.” This means no South Carolina city or county can pass its own rent cap or rent stabilization law.

What to Do If Your Rent Increase Is Illegal

If you believe a rent increase is retaliatory (raised above fair market value after you reported code violations or complained about landlord violations), you may: (1) Document your original complaint and the timing of the rent increase. (2) File a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs at consumer.sc.gov.

(3) Contact South Carolina Legal Services (sclegal.org) for free legal assistance if you qualify. (4) Raise retaliation as a defense in any eviction proceeding — under § 27-40-910, the landlord cannot recover possession for 75 days if retaliation is proven and you are current on rent.

(5) You may be able to recover up to 3 months’ rent or twice actual damages plus attorney’s fees in magistrate court. (6) Check with your local legal aid or magistrate court for guidance on filing.

Other South Carolina rent rules: South Carolina has several unique rules tenants should know: (1) Under § 27-40-910, the retaliatory-increase protection specifically measures retaliation against “fair market value” — a landlord who raises rent to fair market value (even after a complaint) may not be in violation, so tenants should research comparable rents in their area.

(2) The 4-unit exception: landlords renting more than 4 adjoining units can raise rent uniformly without a presumption of retaliation.

(3) South Carolina has a pending bill (H.3346, 2025-2026 session) that would cap rent increases at 7% plus CPI per 12-month period, require 90 days’ written notice (7 days for week-to-week), bar increases during the first year of tenancy, and impose penalties of 3 months’ rent plus actual damages — but this has NOT been enacted as of June 2026.

(4) South Carolina’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Title 27, Chapter 40) does not apply to certain arrangements including transient occupancy in hotels/motels, residence at educational institutions, or occupancy by employees whose right to occupy is tied to employment.

Official South Carolina Sources & Resources

South Carolina Attorney General: https://consumer.sc.gov/consumer-resources/consumer-faqs/housing-mortgages
South Carolina Rent Statute: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t27c040.php
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: hud.gov
Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex

Understanding South Carolina Rent Increase Laws

Whether a South Carolina rent increase is legal depends on the cap (if any), the notice given, and whether the increase is retaliatory. South Carolina rent increase laws protect tenants from surprise hikes by requiring a minimum notice period before any increase takes effect.

If you believe a South Carolina rent increase violates these rules, document the notice you received, check the math against the cap, and contact your local housing authority or legal-aid office.

Knowing the South Carolina rent increase rules before your lease renews puts you in a much stronger position.

This South Carolina rent increase guide was last verified against official sources in June 2026. Rent caps change — verify with your state or a local legal-aid office.

More South Carolina Tenant Rights Guides

Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal advice. Landlord-tenant laws change and vary by city and county within a state. Verify current rules with your state, your local court, or a free legal-aid office before acting. If you are facing eviction, contact a local tenant attorney or legal-aid organization right away.

Renting? Protect your belongings — compare renters insurance at Home Insure Guide. Divorce involving a lease? See Divorce Help Guide. Unsafe housing / toxic mold injury? Some cases qualify — see Mass Tort Info.

South Carolina Rent Increase Laws — Caps & Notice Rules (2026)