South Carolina Landlord Required Disclosures
A comprehensive list of mandatory disclosures South Carolina landlords must provide to tenants prior to renting, including lead paint and agent identification.
Legal Disclaimer
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Laws change frequently — always verify current regulations and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice specific to your situation. Landager is a property management platform, not a law firm.Information last verified: May 2026.
Before entering a binding lease agreement in South Carolina, state and federal laws, including the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (effective 1986), compel landlords to present explicit legal disclosures to their tenants. Providing this information uniformly safeguards landlords from legal penalties and ensures tenant transparency.
State-Mandated Disclosures
The South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (SCRLTA) mandates that landlords must communicate key points of information either in writing before the tenancy starts or within the contract itself.
1. Owner or Authorized Agent Identity
Landlords or property owners must officially disclose the identity of the people tied to ownership and the management of the property in writing. The objective is to make sure tenants always know exactly who holds authority over the unit.
Tenants must be legally provided with the names and addresses of:
- The person authorized to manage the property (such as an external property management company or manager).
- The owner of the premises, or a person officially authorized to act on behalf of the owner, to serve notices, process demands, and receive legal papers.
Why this matters: If an out-of-state landlord uses a local property manager, the tenant must be explicitly told who they can legally serve with a lawsuit or legally contact concerning vital maintenance requests.
2. Security Deposit Standards and Modifications
South Carolina law imposes specific disclosure requirements regarding security deposits to ensure fairness and prevent arbitrary increases.
Variable Standards: If a landlord (1) rents more than four adjoining dwelling units on the premises, and (2) imposes different standards for calculating security/rental deposits required of different tenants on the premises, then, prior to the consummation of the rental agreement, the landlord shall either post in a conspicuous place on the premises, or at the place at which rental is paid a statement clearly indicating the standards by which such security/rental deposits are calculated, or shall provide each prospective tenant with a statement setting forth the standards. If a landlord fails to comply with this subsection as to a tenant, the difference between the security/rental deposit required of the tenant and the lowest security/rental deposit required of any other tenant of a comparable dwelling unit on the premises is not subject to deductions for damages by reason of the tenant's noncompliance with Section 27-40-510.
Mid-Tenancy Increases: Under S.C. Code § 27-40-520, any rule or regulation adopted after a tenant enters into a rental agreement is not valid as to such tenant if the rules or regulations substantially modify the tenant's bargain and after receiving notice upon adoption of his right to object, the tenant objects in writing to the landlord within thirty days after promulgation.
Landlords can disclose variable security deposit standards by:
- Writing the criteria into an upfront disclosure presented to the tenant prior to signing.
- Clearly posting the standards in the management office or a prominent public area on the premises.
Federal Mandates
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
Under federal law enforced by the EPA and HUD, if a residential property was constructed prior to 1978, landlords are strictly obliged to notify the tenant about potential lead-based paint contamination.
Before a prospective tenant signs the lease, landlords must provide:
- An EPA-approved information pamphlet titled "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home."
- A Lead Warning Statement attached to the lease alongside detailed information pertaining to the presence of any known lead-based paint/hazards in the property.
Both landlords and tenants must mutually sign and date this disclosure form to recognize that the landlord met their compliance obligation.
Best Practices for Landlord Disclosures
- Include Disclosures within the Lease: Add a custom addendum entirely devoted to statutory disclosures at the bottom of the master lease.
- Obtain Signatures: Require signatures or digital initials on all separate disclosure policies—especially lead paint waivers—to establish written evidence of tenant receipt.
- Maintain Current Agent Information: If you restructure your management firm, re-file who handles demands or update the tenants in writing within a 30-day timespan of making extreme changes to the management contacts.
Residential
Commercial
How Landager Helps
A critical element of property management is verifying prospective tenants have reviewed required documentation before collecting a deposit. Landager allows landlords in South Carolina to build dynamic lease templates bundling all required state and federal disclosures for an applicant to e-sign in one intuitive workflow—guaranteeing flawless compliance every time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
▶What disclosures must South Carolina landlords provide to tenants?
South Carolina landlords must provide certain disclosures to tenants before or at the time of lease signing. Common required disclosures include lead-based paint hazards (for pre-1978 buildings, a federal requirement), the identity of the landlord or property manager, and any known material defects in the property. Additional state-specific disclosures may include flood risk, mold hazards, and environmental conditions.
▶What are the South Carolina landlord-tenant laws every property owner should know?
The South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (SCRLTA) strictly governs the relationship between landlords and tenants in the state. South Carolina is generally considered a landlord-friendly state due to its lack of rent control, flexible late fee regulations, and relatively straightforward eviction process. However, landlords must meticulously follow notice requirements and maintain properties to legal habitability standards. This guide covers the essential compliance requirements for property owners and landlords.
Read the complete guide▶What is the South Carolina eviction process and how long does it take?
The South Carolina eviction process requires landlords to provide written notice to tenants before filing a court action. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction — typically shorter for non-payment of rent and longer for lease violations or no-fault terminations. Self-help evictions (changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities) are illegal in South Carolina. The full court process varies but typically takes several weeks.
Read the complete guide▶What are the South Carolina security deposit rules and return deadlines?
South Carolina has specific rules governing how much landlords can charge for security deposits, how deposits must be held, and the deadline for returning deposits after a tenant moves out. Landlords must provide an itemized statement of any deductions made from the deposit. Failure to comply with deposit return deadlines can result in penalties and the forfeiture of the landlord's right to claim deductions.
Read the complete guide▶What are the South Carolina rent increase laws and caps for landlords?
South Carolina has specific rules governing when and how landlords can increase rent. During a fixed-term lease, rent generally cannot be increased unless the lease explicitly allows it. For month-to-month tenancies, landlords must provide proper written notice before an increase takes effect. Check whether South Carolina has any local rent control ordinances that may impose additional caps or requirements.
Read the complete guide▶What is the grace period for late rent in South Carolina?
South Carolina has specific rules regarding grace periods for late rent and the amount that can be charged as a late fee. Late fee provisions must be stated in the lease agreement, and fees must be reasonable. Check South Carolina state law and any applicable local ordinances for the exact grace period and late fee limits that apply to your rental property.
Read the complete guide▶What are the South Carolina lease requirements for rental properties?
South Carolina recognizes both written and oral leases, though written leases are strongly recommended for terms longer than one year. Lease agreements should include the rent amount, payment due date, security deposit terms, maintenance responsibilities, and rules regarding entry, pets, and subletting. Certain lease clauses that waive tenant statutory rights may be void and unenforceable under South Carolina law.
Read the complete guide▶What are South Carolina landlord maintenance obligations and habitability standards?
South Carolina landlords must maintain rental properties in a condition that is fit for habitation and complies with applicable building, housing, and health codes. This includes maintaining structural integrity, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, electrical systems, and pest control. Tenants typically have the right to request repairs in writing, and if repairs are not made within a reasonable time, tenants may have legal remedies available.
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