S.C. Code Regs. § 65-219
Interference, Coercion or Intimidation
Operative Text
(1) This Section provides the Commission’s interpretation of the conduct that is unlawful under the South Carolina Fair Housing Law. (2) It shall be unlawful to coerce, intimidate, threaten or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of that person having exercised or enjoyed, or on account of that person having aided or encouraged enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by this section. (3) Conduct made unlawful under this section includes, but is not limited to, the following: (a) Coercing a person, either orally, in writing, or by other means, to deny or limit the benefits provided that person in connection with the sale or rental of a dwelling or in connection with a residential real estate related transaction because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. (b) Threatening, intimidating or interfering with persons in their enjoyment of a dwelling because of the race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin of such persons, or of visitors or associates of such persons. (c) Threatening an employee or agent with dismissal or an adverse employment action, or taking such adverse employment action, for any effort to assist a person seeking access to the sale or rental of a dwelling or seeking access to any residential real estate related transaction, because of the race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin of that person or of any person associated with that person. (d) Intimidating or threatening any person because that person is engaging in activities designed to make other persons aware of, or encouraging such other persons to exercise, rights granted or protected by this section. (e) Retaliating against any person because that person has made a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in a proceeding under the Fair Housing Law.
S.C. Code Regs. ch. 65 § 65-219 sets out the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission's interpretation of conduct that violates the state's Fair Housing Law by interfering with housing rights. The rule prohibits a broad range of coercive, threatening, or retaliatory behavior directed at anyone who exercises, assists with, or encourages the exercise of fair housing rights. This covers actions taken because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, and extends to protecting people who participate in fair housing proceedings or help others understand their rights.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under S.C. Code Regs. ch. 65 § 65-219, property owners and managers are expected to ensure that neither they nor their employees or agents engage in any form of coercion, intimidation, or threats toward residents, applicants, or staff in connection with housing transactions. Compliant operators generally refrain from taking adverse employment actions against staff members who assist individuals seeking fair housing access, and they avoid any conduct that could be construed as discouraging someone from exercising or learning about their fair housing rights. Maintaining clear, documented non-retaliation policies and training staff on this provision are practices commonly associated with lawful operation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
S.C. Code Regs. ch. 65 § 65-219 protects tenants and applicants not only from discriminatory denials but also from threats, intimidation, or retaliation for asserting fair housing rights or helping others do so. If a tenant believes they have experienced coercion or retaliation covered by this provision, general enforcement paths include filing a complaint with the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission, which administers the state Fair Housing Law. Tenants may also explore options through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or consult a tenant-rights organization to better understand available remedies.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 19, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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