S.C. Code Ann. § 27-33-50
Financial responsibility of tenant for utilities
Operative Text
(A) Unless otherwise agreed in writing, a tenant has sole financial responsibility for gas, electric, water, sewerage, or garbage services provided to the premises the tenant leases, and a landlord is not liable for a tenant's account. (B) An entity or utility providing gas, electric, water, sewerage, or garbage services must not: (1) require a landlord to execute an agreement to be responsible for all charges billed to premises leased by a tenant; or (2) discontinue or refuse to provide services to the premises the tenant leases based on the fact that the landlord refused to execute an agreement to be responsible for all the charges billed to the tenant leasing that premises. (C) This provision does not apply to a landlord whose property is a multi-unit building consisting of four or more residential units served by a master meter or single connection.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 27-33-50, tenants are generally responsible for paying their own gas, electric, water, sewerage, and garbage bills unless a written agreement shifts that responsibility. Landlords cannot be compelled by a utility provider to guarantee or co-sign a tenant's utility account, and a utility may not cut off service to a rental unit simply because a landlord declined to accept financial responsibility for the tenant's charges. This framework does not extend to multi-unit buildings of four or more units that share a master meter or single utility connection, which are treated differently under the statute.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under S.C. Code Ann. § 27-33-50 generally ensure that lease agreements clearly address utility responsibility in writing, since the default rule places financial responsibility on the tenant. Compliant operators are aware that utility companies cannot legally require them to sign agreements guaranteeing a tenant's utility charges, and they may decline such requests without risking service termination to the unit. Landlords who own buildings of four or more units served by a master meter should note that this provision's protections do not apply to those properties, and separate arrangements may govern utility billing in that context.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
S.C. Code Ann. § 27-33-50 establishes that, absent a written agreement to the contrary, tenants bear sole financial responsibility for utilities such as gas, electricity, water, sewerage, and garbage at their leased premises. Tenants should be aware that a utility provider is prohibited from cutting off service to their unit solely because the landlord refused to guarantee the account — this can be a meaningful protection if a utility threatens disconnection on those grounds. Tenants who believe a utility is acting in violation of this provision may consider contacting the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff, a local tenant-rights organization, or an attorney familiar with South Carolina landlord-tenant law for general information about available options.
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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