Eviction in Pickens County, South Carolina
Where eviction cases are filed in Pickens County, what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Pickens County
- Eviction court
- Pickens County Central Magistrate Court — Magistrate court Court page
- Filing fee
- $40 for the Affidavit and Application of Ejectment and Rule to Show Cause; a second $10 fee for the Writ (Warrant) of Ejectment. Pickens County Magistrate Court FAQ
- 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)
- $1,339/month HUD
- Renter households
- 15,255 (29% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-28
Where eviction cases are filed in Pickens County
Eviction cases in Pickens County are heard by the Pickens County Central Magistrate Court (Magistrate court).
- Pickens County Central Magistrate Court (William A. McWhorter building) — 310 W. Main Street (Highway 93), Liberty, SC 29657; (864) 898-5551 · website
Court eviction page · Search court records · Self-help center
All Pickens County magistrates sit at the Central Magistrate Court in Liberty (office hours Monday-Friday, closing 4:30 PM). Magistrates' courts handle evictions; court staff help determine the right court.
How much it costs to file an eviction in Pickens County
$40 for the Affidavit and Application of Ejectment and Rule to Show Cause; a second $10 fee for the Writ (Warrant) of Ejectment.
The county FAQ says the full process may take 15 to 20 days.
Source: Pickens County Magistrate Court FAQ
How eviction cases work locally
| Writ of ejectment and set-out | If the tenant does not settle, move, or request a hearing within the period on the rule, the landlord applies for a Writ of Ejectment ($10); the court prepares it and a sheriff's deputy serves the tenant, who then has 24 hours to vacate. The landlord then arranges the set-out date with the Sheriff. Source: Official source |
|---|---|
| Tenant complaints | Tenants may file landlord/tenant disputes (e.g. failure to maintain the rental, unlawful eviction) in magistrate court; $40 filing fee. Source: Official source |
The South Carolina eviction process
South Carolina state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Pickens County:
- 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 Pickens County
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $1,166 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,221 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,339 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,612 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,943 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Pickens County: $972/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
County tenant ordinance
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; eviction procedure follows state law. City rules, if any, are on city pages.
Eviction help in Pickens County
Free legal help
- South Carolina Legal Services — Serves eligible low-income South Carolina residents; apply online via lawhelp.org/sc/online-intake or call 1-888-346-5592.
Tenant and eviction lawyers in Pickens County
Other South Carolina counties
- Eviction in Greenville County (Greenville)
- Eviction in Richland County (Columbia)
- Eviction in Charleston County (Charleston, North Charleston)
- Eviction in Horry County (Myrtle Beach)
- Eviction in Spartanburg County (Spartanburg)
- Eviction in York County (Rock Hill)
- Eviction in Lexington County (Lexington)
- Eviction in Berkeley County
- Eviction in Anderson County
- Eviction in Beaufort County
- Eviction in Florence County
- Eviction in Aiken County
- Eviction in Dorchester County
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 Pickens County?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Pickens County?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Pickens County?
What is the fair market rent in Pickens County?
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.