South Carolina Security Deposit Law: Limits, Deadlines, and Penalties
What South Carolina landlords can charge, when deposits must be returned, and what it costs to get it wrong. Last reviewed 2026-08-12.
How much can a landlord charge in South Carolina?
South Carolina places no cap on security deposits. One disclosure rule applies to larger properties: a landlord renting more than four adjoining dwelling units on the same premises who calculates deposits differently for different tenants must post the standards conspicuously or give each tenant a written statement of them.
No statutory limit or separate rules; pet deposits are simply part of the deposit and follow the same 30-day return and itemization requirements.
When must the deposit be returned?
The deposit and any itemized deduction notice are due within 30 days after the latest of: termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, or the tenant's demand. The tenant should provide a forwarding address in writing; without one, the landlord avoids penalties by mailing the notice and balance to the tenant's last known address.
Any deduction from the deposit must be itemized in a written notice sent to the tenant together with the amount due within the 30-day window.
What happens if a landlord misses the deadline?
If the landlord wrongfully withholds part of the deposit or fails to send the itemized notice, the tenant may recover an amount equal to three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees (S.C. Code § 27-40-410(b)).
Interest and holding requirements
South Carolina does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits.
No statutory requirement. Deposits do not need to be kept in a separate or escrow account.
What South Carolina landlords get wrong
South Carolina's treble-damages penalty is among the harshest in the Southeast, and unlike some states it is not conditioned on proving bad faith — wrongful withholding or a missed itemization is enough. The safe harbor matters for small landlords: if the tenant never gives a forwarding address, mail the itemization and balance to their last known address and keep proof of mailing; that defeats the treble-damages claim. If you own a small multifamily building with more than four adjoining units and vary deposits between tenants, post or hand out your deposit-calculation standards in writing.
The law itself
Frequently asked questions
How long does a South Carolina landlord have to return a security deposit?
Thirty days after the latest of three events: the tenancy terminating, the tenant delivering possession, or the tenant demanding the deposit. Within that window the landlord must send the balance plus a written itemization of any deductions. Mailing to the tenant's last known address protects the landlord if no forwarding address was provided.
Is there a limit on security deposits in South Carolina?
No. South Carolina sets no maximum security deposit; landlords commonly charge one month's rent by convention. The only related rule: landlords with more than four adjoining units on one premises who use different deposit standards for different tenants must post those standards conspicuously or give each tenant a written statement of how deposits are calculated.
What is the penalty for wrongfully keeping a deposit in South Carolina?
Three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees. If a landlord improperly keeps $1,000, the tenant can recover $3,000 plus legal costs. The penalty applies to failing to send the 30-day itemized notice as well as to unjustified deductions, so paperwork failures alone can triple a landlord's liability.
Do South Carolina landlords have to keep deposits in a separate account or pay interest?
No on both counts. South Carolina imposes no escrow, separate-account, or bonding requirement and requires no interest on deposits. That said, keeping deposits in a dedicated account is still smart practice — it ensures the money is available within the 30-day return window and helps you avoid the statute's triple-damages penalty.
Keep reading
Deposit deadlines are easy to miss — until they cost you triple.
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Start Free TrialThis page is general information, not legal advice. Statutes change — verify against the official text linked above or consult a local attorney before acting.