South Carolina Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
South Carolina rules on rent increases & late fees for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: No statewide rent cap. Counties and municipalities are prohibited from enacting, maintaining or enforcing rent control on privately owned residential property. S.C. Code § 27-39-60
The rules in South Carolina
| Rent control / increase limits | No statewide rent cap. Counties and municipalities are prohibited from enacting, maintaining or enforcing rent control on privately owned residential property. Exceptions: property owned by the local government (or an authority it creates) and agreements with private persons regulating rent. Enacted 1985. Source: S.C. Code § 27-39-60 |
|---|---|
| Late fees | No statutory cap or grace period. The Act defines 'rent' to include late charges (§ 27-40-210) but does not limit them. Source: None in Title 27, Ch. 40 |
Free calculators
- Late Fee Checker — Check a late fee against your state's cap and grace period.
- Rent Increase Calculator — In states with a statewide rent cap, see the most your rent can go up this year.
Related questions
- Can a landlord raise the rent in the middle of a lease?
- How much can a landlord charge for a late fee?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent?
- Can a landlord evict you for no reason?
South Carolina vs. neighboring states
| State | Rent control / increase limits | Late fees |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | No statewide rent cap. Counties and municipalities are prohibited from enacting, maintaining or enforcing rent control on privately owned residential property. S.C. Code § 27-39-60 | No statutory cap or grace period. None in Title 27, Ch. 40 |
| Georgia | Local rent control is preempted. No county or city may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance or resolution regulating the rent charged for privately owned single-family or multi-unit residential rental property. Exceptions: property the local government (or its authority) owns, and voluntary agreements with private persons that regulate rent. No statewide rent cap. O.C.G.A. § 44-7-19 | No statutory cap or grace period identified. Georgia statutes treat late fees as charges a landlord may collect: they may be demanded in the 3-business-day pay-or-vacate notice and deducted from the security deposit. O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50(c) (as amended by HB 404, 2024); O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34(a) |
| North Carolina | Statewide preemption: counties and cities may not regulate the amount of rent for privately owned residential or commercial rental property. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-14.1 | May be charged only if rent is 5 or more calendar days late. Monthly rent: max of $15 or 5% of monthly rent, whichever is greater. Weekly rent: max of $4 or 5% of weekly rent, whichever is greater. Only one late fee per late payment. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-46(a)-(b) |
More South Carolina rental law
- South Carolina Security Deposit Law
- South Carolina Eviction Laws
- South Carolina Notice to Vacate Rules
- Landlord Entry Rules in South Carolina
- South Carolina Repairs & Tenant Remedies
- Breaking a Lease in South Carolina
- Squatters' Rights in South Carolina
- South Carolina Rental Fee Rules
- South Carolina Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
- South Carolina Mold, Pests, Heat & AC Rules
- South Carolina Privacy, Guests & Animal Rules
- South Carolina Landlord Selling the House
- South Carolina Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
- South Carolina Subletting, Lease Endings & Tenant Death
- All South Carolina landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in South Carolina
Compare rent increases & late fees in all 50 states and DC →
South Carolina Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws FAQ
Is there rent control or a limit on rent increases in South Carolina?
No statewide rent cap. Counties and municipalities are prohibited from enacting, maintaining or enforcing rent control on privately owned residential property. (S.C. Code § 27-39-60)
Is there a limit on late fees in South Carolina?
No statutory cap or grace period. (None in Title 27, Ch. 40)
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.