South Carolina security deposit demand letter
Create a South Carolina security deposit demand letter using the residential-deposit rules verified July 24, 2026. The form checks the facts that control statutory coverage, the return clock, itemization, notice, and any qualified remedy before it inserts state-law text.
What law governs a residential security deposit in South Carolina?
S.C. Code §§ 27-40-410, 27-40-240, and 27-40-420 govern covered residential security deposits and notice. The Residential Landlord and Tenant Act’s exclusions in § 27-40-120, including institutional occupancy, certain contract-of-sale possession, fraternal/social occupancy, transient hotel occupancy, employee occupancy conditioned on employment, and certain owner-occupied condominium/cooperative arrangements. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: S.C. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
Source: S.C. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act · Verified July 24, 2026
When is a security deposit or accounting due in South Carolina?
The 30-day deadline runs after the latest of termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, and the tenant’s demand. The tenant must provide a forwarding or new address in writing to preserve the statutory damages claim where the landlord otherwise lacks notice of the tenant’s whereabouts. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: S.C. Code § 27-40-410(a).
Source: S.C. Code § 27-40-410(a) · Verified July 24, 2026
What itemization or documentation is required in South Carolina?
Any deduction must be itemized in a written notice sent with the amount due, if any. The letter requests only the itemization, accounting, and supporting documents required by that rule. The generated letter requests optional documents only when the cited law requires them. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: S.C. Code § 27-40-410(a).
Source: S.C. Code § 27-40-410(a) · Verified July 24, 2026
What remedy may apply if a South Carolina landlord does not comply?
A tenant may recover three times the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney fees when the landlord fails to return prepaid rent or the security deposit with the required notice. The express trigger is an amount “wrongfully withheld”; the deposit multiplier does not state a separate willfulness or bad-faith element. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: S.C. Code § 27-40-410(b), (d); S.C. Code §§ 27-40-220, 27-40-410(b).
Source: S.C. Code § 27-40-410(b), (d); S.C. Code §§ 27-40-220, 27-40-410(b) · Verified July 24, 2026
Does South Carolina require a demand, delivery method, or prescribed form?
A tenant gives notice by taking steps reasonably calculated to inform the landlord. No exact tenant-demand form exists, but the tenant must make a demand and provide a forwarding or new address in writing for the statutory clock/remedy framework. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: S.C. Code §§ 27-40-240, 27-40-420; S.C. Code § 27-40-410(a).
Source: S.C. Code §§ 27-40-240, 27-40-420; S.C. Code § 27-40-410(a) · Verified July 24, 2026
S.C. Code §§ 27-40-410, 27-40-240, and 27-40-420 govern covered residential security deposits and notice. Section 27-40-120 excludes institutional occupancy, certain contract-of-sale possession, fraternal/social occupancy, transient hotel occupancy, employee occupancy conditioned on employment, and certain owner-occupied condominium/cooperative arrangements.