South Carolina Security Deposit Demand Letter

In South Carolina, a landlord has 30 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions (as of 2026; source: S.C. Code §27-40-410). This letter cites that deadline, states the amount and your forwarding address, and gives the landlord a date to respond before you file. Free, no signup.

Reflects current South Carolina rules · 2026 Official source linked Free PDF · no signup · nothing uploaded

Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.

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South Carolina deposit rules at a glance

Return deadline: 30 days after move-out
Deposit cap: No statutory limit

As of 2026. Source: S.C. Code §27-40-410 ↗. Want the exact due date? Use the deposit return calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a South Carolina landlord have to return the deposit?

30 days after you move out, as of 2026 (source: S.C. Code §27-40-410). Counted in calendar days; check the statute for whether the clock starts at move-out, lease end, or receipt of your forwarding address, and whether a weekend deadline rolls over. Use the deposit return calculator to get the exact date.

Is there a limit on how much deposit a South Carolina landlord can charge?

South Carolina sets no statutory cap on the security deposit (as of 2026; source: S.C. Code §27-40-410), so the amount is whatever the lease says. The return deadline still applies to the full amount.

How much can I sue for in South Carolina if the landlord ignores this?

Single statewide cap (exclusive of interest and costs) for magistrates' civil jurisdiction, unchanged since 2004 Act No. 180; no plaintiff-type splits or county variations in the limit itself, though each county's magistrate office administers filings. The court is the Magistrates Court (commonly called small claims court), and the filing fee is About $80 total in most counties (e.g., Beaufort County Magistrate: $80 including a $10 service fee, +$10 per additional defendant). The statutory base is $45 for summons and judgment under S.C. Code § 8-21-1010(A)(6), with county-collected surcharges making up the difference.. As of 2026; source: S.C. Code Ann. § 22-3-10 (jurisdiction); § 8-21-1010 (fees).

Do I need a lawyer in South Carolina small claims?

Attorneys are Yes — attorneys are allowed at the hearing; official complaint forms are signed by 'Plaintiff or Attorney'. Businesses may alternatively appear through a non-lawyer using the court's Authorization for Non-Lawyer Representative form.. Source: S.C. Code Ann. § 22-3-10 (jurisdiction); § 8-21-1010 (fees) (as of 2026).

Deposit rules in every state, cited to statute: security deposit limits by state.

How South Carolina compares

Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for South Carolina: S.C. Code §27-40-410 ↗.

Deposit return deadline

Deposit return deadline: 30 days, exactly the national median.

This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 26 other states.

Deposit return deadline in neighboring states — Georgia (30 days), North Carolina (30 days). Every neighboring state with a rule matches South Carolina.

The rest of what South Carolina requires

The figures below are South Carolina's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full South Carolina page for that document.

Security deposit cap · as of 2026: No statutory limit S.C. Code §27-40-410 ↗
Deposit return deadline · as of 2026: 30 days after move-out S.C. Code §27-40-410 ↗
Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026: 30 days S.C. Code §27-40-410 ↗
Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026: 5 days to pay or quit S.C. Code § 27-40-710; § 27-40-770 ↗
Notice to cure a lease violation · as of 2026: 14 days S.C. Code § 27-40-710; § 27-40-770 ↗
Small claims limit · as of 2026: $7,500 S.C. Code Ann. § 22-3-10 (jurisdiction); § 8-21-1010 (fees) ↗
Where you file · as of 2026: Magistrates Court (commonly called small claims court) · filing fee About $80 total in most counties (e.g., Beaufort County Magistrate: $80 including a $10 service fee, +$10 per additional defendant). The statutory base is $45 for summons and judgment under S.C. Code § 8-21-1010(A)(6), with county-collected surcharges making up the difference. S.C. Code Ann. § 22-3-10 (jurisdiction); § 8-21-1010 (fees) ↗
Rental application fee · as of July 2026: No statutory limit South Carolina Code ↗
Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026: Not required South Carolina SCDMV (Form 4031) ↗
Power of attorney signing · as of 2026: Notarization required · 2 witnesses S.C. Code §62-8-105 ↗
LLC operating agreement · as of 2026: Not required by statute, but it controls over the default rules S.C. Code Ann. § 33-44-103 ↗
Recording a deed · as of 2026: Register of Deeds (in some counties the Clerk of Court performs the register's recording duties) — S.C. Code § 30-5-30 / Title 30 · 2 witnesses S.C. Code §§ 27-7-10, 30-5-30 ↗

Security deposit demand letter in other states

More South Carolina legal forms

Different state? See security deposit demand letters by state →