South Carolina Security Deposit Law
South Carolina rules on security deposits for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: No statutory cap on the amount of a security deposit. S.C. Code § 27-40-410
The rules in South Carolina
| Security deposit limit | No statutory cap on the amount of a security deposit. Landlords renting more than four adjoining units who use different deposit standards for different tenants must disclose those standards (§ 27-40-410(c)). Source: S.C. Code § 27-40-410 |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 30 days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession and demand by the tenant. Tenant should give a forwarding address in writing; if not, the tenant loses the statutory damages where the landlord had no notice of the tenant's whereabouts and mailed to the last known address. Protected tenants terminating early under new § 27-40-350 (2026 Act 184) may have deposit return delayed to lease end if the lease so provides. Source: S.C. Code § 27-40-410(a) |
| Itemized deductions | Written notice itemizing the amounts withheld (accrued rent and damages from tenant noncompliance), delivered with any balance due within the 30 days. Source: S.C. Code § 27-40-410(a) |
| Interest on deposits | Not required by statute. § 27-40-410 contains no interest requirement. Source: S.C. Code § 27-40-410 |
| Penalty for withholding | Three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees. Source: S.C. Code § 27-40-410(b) |
Free calculators
- Security Deposit Deadline Calculator — See when your landlord must return your deposit, and the penalty your state sets if they don't.
Templates
Related questions
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit?
- How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit?
- What can a landlord charge for at move-out (cleaning, painting, carpet)?
South Carolina vs. neighboring states
| State | Security deposit limit | Deposit return deadline | Itemized deductions |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | No statutory cap on the amount of a security deposit. S.C. Code § 27-40-410 | 30 days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession and demand by the tenant. S.C. Code § 27-40-410(a) | Written notice itemizing the amounts withheld (accrued rent and damages from tenant noncompliance), delivered with any balance due within the 30 days. S.C. Code § 27-40-410(a) |
| Georgia | 2 months' rent. No landlord may demand or receive a security deposit that exceeds the equivalent of two months' rent. O.C.G.A. § 44-7-30.1 (added by HB 404, 2024 Safe at Home Act, Act 392) | Within 30 days after the landlord obtains possession of the unit. The landlord complies by mailing the statement and any refund by first-class mail to the tenant's last known address. If the mailed refund is returned undeliverable and the tenant cannot be located after reasonable effort, it becomes the landlord's property 90 days after mailing. O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34(a) | If any amount is kept, the landlord must give a written statement of the specific reasons within 30 days, with the itemized damage list if damage is claimed, and the balance due. No deduction for normal wear and tear. Landlords with more than 10 units or a fee-paid management agent must also give a move-in damage list and do a move-out inspection within 3 business days, giving the tenant a signed damage list; the tenant may inspect within 5 business days and sign or note disagreements. O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-33, 44-7-34 |
| North Carolina | 2 weeks' rent (week-to-week tenancy); 1.5 months' rent (month-to-month); 2 months' rent (terms longer than month-to-month) N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-51(b) | 30 days after the tenancy ends and possession is delivered. If the landlord's claim can't be determined in 30 days, an interim accounting is due in 30 days and a final accounting within 60 days. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-52 | Landlord must itemize any damage in writing and mail or deliver it with the balance of the deposit. Deductions allowed only for: unpaid rent and certain utility charges, damage (including to smoke/CO alarms), damages from breaking the rental period, unpaid bills that become a lien, re-renting costs after breach, removal/storage after summary ejectment, court costs, and fees permitted by § 42-46. No deductions for normal wear and tear or above actual damages. N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-51(a), 42-52 |
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- Free legal help in South Carolina
Compare security deposits in all 50 states and DC →
South Carolina Security Deposit Law FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in South Carolina?
No statutory cap on the amount of a security deposit. (S.C. Code § 27-40-410)
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in South Carolina?
30 days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession and demand by the tenant. (S.C. Code § 27-40-410(a))
Does a landlord in South Carolina have to give an itemized list of deposit deductions?
Written notice itemizing the amounts withheld (accrued rent and damages from tenant noncompliance), delivered with any balance due within the 30 days. (S.C. Code § 27-40-410(a))
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in South Carolina?
Not required by statute. (S.C. Code § 27-40-410)
What happens if a landlord in South Carolina wrongfully keeps a security deposit?
Three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees. (S.C. Code § 27-40-410(b))
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.