Landlord & Tenant Laws in South Carolina.

Keep a written demand for the deposit and provide a forwarding address. South Carolina ties the deposit-return deadline to termination, delivery of possession, and demand by the tenant.

If the amount sought is within the South Carolina magistrate court civil limit, a tenant may file there. Keep the lease, proof of deposit payment, move-out records, and the written demand.

A South Carolina landlord generally must return the security deposit within 30 days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession and demand by the tenant, together with an itemized written list of any lawful deductions and the reasons for them.

If the tenant does not demand the deposit or provide a forwarding address, the landlord may mail the accounting and any balance due to the tenant’s last known address.

If a landlord wrongfully withholds a security deposit, South Carolina law may allow the tenant to recover the property and money due plus damages in an amount equal to three times the amount wrongfully withheld, together with reasonable attorney’s fees in the right case.