Eviction in Richland County (Columbia), South Carolina
Where eviction cases are filed in Richland County (Columbia), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Richland County (Columbia)
- Eviction court
- Richland County Magistrate Courts — Magistrate court (ejectment) Court page
- Filing fee
- $40 filing fee for the ejectment (eviction) action; $10 for the writ of ejectment Charleston County Magistrates/Summary Courts - Civil Court page (magistrate fees are uniform statewide per the SC Summary Court Judges Bench Book)
- 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)
- $1,276/month HUD
- Renter households
- 66,738 (40% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22
Where eviction cases are filed in Richland County (Columbia)
Eviction cases in Richland County (Columbia) are heard by the Richland County Magistrate Courts (Magistrate court (ejectment)).
- Central Court — 2500 Decker Blvd., Columbia, SC 29206 (803-576-2300 ext. 5) · website
Court eviction page · Search court records · Self-help center
Richland County magistrates conduct landlord/tenant hearings at district magistrate offices (Blythewood, Columbia, Dentsville, Dutch Fork, Eastover, Hopkins, Lykesland, Olympia, Pontiac, Upper Township, Waverly) listed on the county Magistrates page. Court dockets: https://publicindex.sccourts.org/richland/summarycourtdockets/
How much it costs to file an eviction in Richland County (Columbia)
$40 filing fee for the ejectment (eviction) action; $10 for the writ of ejectment
The SC Bench Book (https://www.sccourts.org/SummaryCourtBenchBook/GeneralB#B7) states magistrate fees are set by state law and counties may not create their own, so the same amounts apply statewide; the official statewide fee memorandum (Attachment K) is a PDF that was not read. Unable to pay: motion to proceed in forma pauperis under Magistrates Rule 5(c).
How eviction cases work locally
| Court dockets | Summary court dockets are published online. Source: Official source |
|---|
The South Carolina eviction process
South Carolina state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Richland County (Columbia):
- 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 Richland County (Columbia)
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Columbia, SC HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $1,032 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,164 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,276 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,623 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,911 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Richland County (Columbia): $1,228/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
County tenant ordinance
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified.
Eviction help in Richland County (Columbia)
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 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)
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 Richland County (Columbia)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Richland County (Columbia)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Richland County (Columbia)?
What is the fair market rent in Richland County (Columbia)?
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.