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Security deposit · South Carolina

30 days after you hand back the keys and ask for it.

By housr editorsStatute text checked 2026-10-05Legal review pending
A named legal reviewer hasn't signed this page yet. We read and quoted the statute ourselves on 2026-10-05. Until review, this page isn't indexed by search engines. This is information, not legal advice. See legal review.
The short answerS.C. Code §27-40-410(a)
Deadline30 calendar days
Before it appliesYour demand for the deposit
If kept in bad faithThree times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees

The rule

In South Carolina, the clock starts when: possession + your demand, whichever is later. The landlord then has 30 calendar days, counted from your demand. The statute says:

“…within thirty days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession and demand by the tenant, whichever is later.”

Also give a forwarding address in writing: without one you may lose the right to damages.

For example, if you returned the keys on Oct 25, 2026 and made your demand the same day, the date would be Nov 24, 2026. Use the Clock for your own dates.

What the landlord has to send

Deductions itemized in a written notice, with the amount due.

“The tenant shall provide the landlord in writing with a forwarding address or new address to which the written notice and amount due from the landlord may be sent.”
S.C. Code §27-40-410(a)

Do this

On move-out day

Ask for the deposit in writing when you hand back the keys: in South Carolina the clock counts from your demand. Photograph every room before you return the keys.

Deductions and wear and tear

South Carolina's statute limits what can be kept to the purposes it lists. We haven't summarised its wear-and-tear language yet; read the section linked above.

For a charge to replace something old, Fair Charge works out a prorated estimate from the item's age and useful life, and says where the useful life comes from. See also the item guides for carpet, paint and cleaning.

If the deadline passes

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

“…the tenant may recover the property and money in an amount equal to three times the amount wrongfully withheld and reasonable attorney's fees.”
S.C. Code §27-40-410(b)

The usual first step is a written demand that states the date the deposit was due and cites the statute. Our demand letter does that and carries any disputed deductions.

Your next steps

Sources

  1. S.C. Code §27-40-410(a) · checked 2026-10-05

Information, not legal advice. Statutes are quoted from official legislature sites; summaries are ours. Spotted an error? Tell us.