Eviction in Charleston County (Charleston, North Charleston), South Carolina
Where eviction cases are filed in Charleston County (Charleston, North Charleston), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Charleston County (Charleston, North Charleston)
- Eviction court
- Charleston County Magistrates/Summary Courts — Magistrate court (ejectment) Court page
- Filing fee
- $40 filing fee (with affidavit); $10 for the writ of ejectment Charleston County Magistrates/Summary Courts - Civil Court
- Notice before filing (state law)
- If rent is unpaid and not paid within 5 days of the due date, the landlord may terminate after written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate. If the written lease contains the statutory notice language in bold, conspicuous type, the lease itself serves as the notice. South Carolina rules
- HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
- $1,787/month HUD
- Renter households
- 64,625 (36% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22
Where eviction cases are filed in Charleston County (Charleston, North Charleston)
Eviction cases in Charleston County (Charleston, North Charleston) are heard by the Charleston County Magistrates/Summary Courts (Magistrate court (ejectment)).
- Magistrates/Summary Court Administration — 4045 Bridge View Dr., Suite B-143, North Charleston, SC 29405 (843-202-6600) · website
Court eviction page · Search court records · Self-help center
File in the Magistrate's Court that has jurisdiction over the rental property. The court issues an order (rule) to show cause served on the tenant, who must vacate or request a hearing. If a hearing is held, the judge decides when or if the writ will be available.
How much it costs to file an eviction in Charleston County (Charleston, North Charleston)
$40 filing fee (with affidavit); $10 for the writ of ejectment
Magistrate fees are uniform statewide per the SC Bench Book (https://www.sccourts.org/SummaryCourtBenchBook/GeneralB#B7). Unable to pay: motion to proceed in forma pauperis under Magistrates Rule 5(c).
Source: Charleston County Magistrates/Summary Courts - Civil Court
How eviction cases work locally
| Writ execution by constable | The Constable contacts the landlord to schedule the eviction; the Constable does not remove belongings - the landlord must provide labor; deputies attend only to keep the peace. Source: Official source |
|---|
The South Carolina eviction process
South Carolina state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Charleston County (Charleston, North Charleston):
- Notice: 5-day nonpayment notice (or conspicuous lease clause) / 14-day breach notice / 30-day month-to-month notice (§§ 27-40-710, 27-40-770, 27-37-10)
- Landlord applies to the magistrate; magistrate issues a Rule to Vacate or Show Cause (§ 27-37-20)
- Tenant has 10 days after service to vacate or request a hearing/show cause (§ 27-37-20); posting-and-mail service allowed after two failed personal attempts (§ 27-37-30)
- If tenant does not respond, warrant/writ of ejectment issues (§ 27-37-40); if contested, hearing (jury on demand) (§ 27-37-60)
- If the tenant raises defenses, rent must be paid into court (§ 27-40-790)
- Writ of ejectment executed by sheriff/constable; occupants given 24 hours to leave before forcible removal (§ 27-37-160)
- Appeal to circuit court stays ejectment only if the tenant files an affidavit to pay rent as it comes due (§ 27-40-800, rewritten by 2026 Act 252, eff. June 30, 2026)
Full South Carolina eviction rules with sources →
Rent in Charleston County (Charleston, North Charleston)
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Charleston-North Charleston, SC MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $1,557 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,630 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,787 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,222 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,562 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Charleston County (Charleston, North Charleston): $1,620/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
County tenant ordinance
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified.
Eviction help in Charleston County (Charleston, North Charleston)
Free legal help
- South Carolina Legal Services — Free civil legal help for eligible low-income South Carolina residents statewide; Housing Law Center guided interview for renters: https://schousinglaw.org
Other South Carolina counties
- Eviction in Greenville County (Greenville)
- Eviction in Richland County (Columbia)
- Eviction in Horry County (Myrtle Beach)
- Eviction in Spartanburg County (Spartanburg)
- Eviction in York County (Rock Hill)
- Eviction in Lexington County (Lexington)
Related
- South Carolina landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in South Carolina
- South Carolina eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in South Carolina (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in Charleston County (Charleston, North Charleston)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Charleston County (Charleston, North Charleston)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Charleston County (Charleston, North Charleston)?
What is the fair market rent in Charleston County (Charleston, North Charleston)?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.