Rent Increases in South Carolina: What Are My Rights?
This page explains what South Carolina law says about your landlord raising your rent. It covers when a rent increase counts as punishment for a complaint, and what you can do about it. It does not cover being told to leave at the end of your lease.
-
South Carolina law bans your landlord from retaliation (punishing you for complaining). You might complain to a government agency about a housing code problem that seriously affects health or safety. If conditions are very bad, an inspector can condemn the home (order everyone to leave). After that complaint, your landlord cannot raise your rent above fair-market value (usual rent for a similar home). Your landlord cannot cut essential services (water, electric, gas) either. Your landlord cannot try to evict you because of that complaint. Your landlord can still file to evict you if the problem was mostly your fault or you seriously broke the lease. The same is true if fixing the problem means you must move out anyway.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
South Carolina bans retaliation (punishing you for complaining) when you tell your landlord that your landlord broke this law. After that complaint, your landlord cannot raise your rent above fair-market value (the usual rent for a similar home). Your landlord cannot cut essential services (water, electric, gas) either. Your landlord cannot try to evict you because of that complaint. This does not apply if the problem was mostly your fault or you broke the lease in a serious way. It also does not apply if fixing the problem means you must move out anyway.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
Some landlords can raise rent without it counting as retaliation (punishment for complaining). This applies if your landlord rents out more than 4 homes next to each other on the same property. The higher rent must apply the same way to every renter there. Or, the new rent must not go above fair-market value (the usual rent for a similar home).
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
Your landlord might take you to court to evict you. If you believe this is punishment for a complaint you made, you can raise it as a defense. You must tell your landlord in writing that you plan to use this defense. You have 10 days to do this after you are served the Rule to Vacate or Show Cause. This is the court paper that starts the eviction case. After you file your written answer, the court will hear your case as soon as it can.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
You may raise a defense in your eviction case. This defense says your landlord is retaliating (punishing you for complaining). If a judge decides this defense has no merit (no real legal basis), you must pay your landlord's attorney's fees. Attorney's fees means your landlord's lawyer costs.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
You may raise a defense in your eviction case, saying your landlord is retaliating (punishing you for complaining). A judge might decide you raised this defense in bad faith. Bad faith means you did not honestly believe it. If so, you must pay your landlord up to 3 months of rent. Or, you must pay 3 times your landlord's actual money losses, whichever is more. For example, 3 months of $1,000 rent is $3,000. 3 times $500 in losses is $1,500.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
Your landlord might refuse to renew your lease to punish you for a complaint. If you are not behind on rent, special protections apply. You must prove your landlord broke the law, knew about it, and knew about your complaint before your lease ended. Your landlord cannot raise your rent above fair-market value (the usual rent for a similar home). Your landlord cannot cut essential services (water, electric, gas) either. Your landlord cannot take back the home for 75 days.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
South Carolina gives extra protection if your landlord refuses to renew your lease to punish you for a complaint. To get this protection, you must prove three things. Your landlord broke South Carolina's landlord-tenant law. Your landlord knew about that problem. Your landlord knew about your complaint before your lease ended.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
If your landlord retaliates against you (punishes you for complaining), a court can award you money. You can get up to 3 months of rent. Or, you can get 3 times your actual money losses, whichever is more. You can also get attorney's fees. Attorney's fees means your landlord pays your lawyer costs. For example, 3 months of $1,000 rent is $3,000. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
Keep a written record of every complaint you make. Write down the date, and whether you told your landlord or a code enforcement agency. If your landlord raises your rent afterward, these records can help you show the timing if you go to court.
-
South Carolina's landlord-tenant law lets you and your landlord agree on the rent amount. You also agree on other rental terms when you sign your lease.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
Is something on this page wrong or out of date? Tell us.