S.C. Code Ann. § 27-33-20
Applicability of certain statutory provisions relating to landlord and tenant
Operative Text
The provisions of Chapters 33 to 37, SECTION 27-39-10 and Article 3 of Chapter 39 of this Title, other than SECTIONS 27-35-80, 27-35-170, 27-35-180, 27-39-280 and 27-39-300, shall not apply to (a) lessees of timber, (b) the user or beneficiary of any easement or (c) the use or occupancy of any land by any person engaged in rendering public utility service for the construction and maintenance of electric power, telephone, telegraph, water or gas lines.
Section 27-33-20 of the South Carolina Code carves out specific categories of land use from the broader landlord-tenant statutory framework found in Chapters 33 through 37 and related provisions. Specifically, timber lessees, easement users or beneficiaries, and public utility companies occupying land for infrastructure such as power lines, telephone lines, or water and gas lines are not governed by those chapters. Certain enumerated sections—27-35-80, 27-35-170, 27-35-180, 27-39-280, and 27-39-300—are explicitly preserved and continue to apply even to these excluded categories.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners who lease land for timber harvesting, grant easements, or permit public utility companies to occupy land for infrastructure purposes should be aware that S.C. Code Ann. § 27-33-20 removes those arrangements from the standard South Carolina residential and commercial landlord-tenant statutes. Operators managing conventional rental properties are generally unaffected by this exclusion and continue to operate under the full framework of Chapters 33 through 37. Landlords dealing with mixed-use land arrangements—such as a property that includes both a rental dwelling and a utility easement—typically treat each relationship under its applicable legal framework.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in standard residential or commercial rental situations are generally not affected by the exclusion established in § 27-33-20, as that provision targets specialized land-use relationships like timber leases and utility easements rather than typical tenancies. However, individuals who believe their occupancy arrangement may fall into one of the excluded categories—such as living on land subject to a utility company's use—may find that certain tenant protections under Chapters 33 through 37 do not apply to their situation. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with South Carolina property law can help clarify which statutory protections, if any, remain available under the preserved sections referenced in § 27-33-20.
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 16, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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