South Carolina · Security deposits · Updated Oct 2026

South Carolina security deposit law

How much a landlord in South Carolina can charge, the deadline to return a deposit, what may be deducted, the penalty for keeping it wrongly and how to get yours back.

Short answer

In South Carolina, the deposit limit is: No statewide limit. The landlord must return it as follows: Within 30 days after the later of: the tenancy ends and you give back possession, or you ask for the deposit.

deposit limit
No statewide limit
to return a deposit
30 days
deposit penalty
Up to 3×

Security deposit in South Carolina

Limit
No statewide limit.
Deadline to return it
Within 30 days after the later of: the tenancy ends and you give back possession, or you ask for the deposit. Give the landlord your forwarding address in writing. If you don't, you lose the right to the extra (triple) damages if the landlord had no other way to know where you went and mailed the notice and refund to your last known address.
Itemized list
Yes. Deductions must be itemized in a written notice sent with any refund within the 30 days. Receipts are not required by the law.
What may be deducted
Unpaid rent and damages caused by your failure to meet your duties as a tenant (for example, damage beyond normal use, not keeping the unit clean and safe). In complexes with more than 4 units, if the landlord charges different tenants different deposits without posting the standards, the extra part can't be used for damages.
Interest
No statute requires interest.
If the landlord keeps it wrongly
Three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees.
Law
S.C. Code § 27-40-410

Get your deposit back, step by step

  1. Before you move out, clean, take dated photos and video of every room, and return all keys.
  2. Give your landlord your new address in writing. In South Carolina: Give the landlord your forwarding address in writing.
  3. Wait for the deadline: Within 30 days after the later of: the tenancy ends and you give back possession, or you ask for the deposit.
  4. If the money or an itemized list doesn't come, or the deductions are wrong, send a demand letter (below). Keep proof of mailing.
  5. If that doesn't work, sue in small claims court. Limit: $7,500 in Magistrate Court. Small claims court in South Carolina on Small Claims Map

Deposit return calculator for South Carolina

Find your state's deadline for returning a security deposit, whether your landlord is late and what you may be owed. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Enter your deposit and move-out dateThe result appears as you type.

An estimate from the dates you enter and the rule in our data, not legal advice. We skip weekends only where the rule counts business days, and we don't skip holidays.

Security deposit demand letter for South Carolina

A short, firm and polite letter asking your landlord to return your deposit by a date. It cites your state's deposit law. Many landlords pay at this step, and the letter is proof that you asked. Fill this in, download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it), sign it, keep a copy and send it in a way you can prove, such as certified mail with a return receipt.

Your letter is made in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us or anyone else.

The name on your lease or rent receipts.

We suggest 14 days.

One or two sentences. This text goes into the letter as written.

Small claims court in South Carolina

Deposit disputes usually go to small claims court, where you don't need a lawyer. Limit: $7,500 in Magistrate Court.

How to file in South Carolina

Questions about security deposits in South Carolina

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in South Carolina?

No statewide limit.

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in South Carolina?

Within 30 days after the later of: the tenancy ends and you give back possession, or you ask for the deposit. Give the landlord your forwarding address in writing. If you don't, you lose the right to the extra (triple) damages if the landlord had no other way to know where you went and mailed the notice and refund to your last known address.

What can I do if my landlord won't return my deposit in South Carolina?

Three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees.

What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in South Carolina?

Unpaid rent and damages caused by your failure to meet your duties as a tenant (for example, damage beyond normal use, not keeping the unit clean and safe). In complexes with more than 4 units, if the landlord charges different tenants different deposits without posting the standards, the extra part can't be used for damages.

Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in South Carolina?

No statute requires interest.

What is the small claims limit in South Carolina?

$7,500 in Magistrate Court.

More for South Carolina renters

Security deposit in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.