S.C. Code Ann. § 27-37-10
Grounds for ejectment of tenant
Operative Text
(A) The tenant may be ejected upon application of the landlord or his agent when (1) the tenant fails or refuses to pay the rent when due or when demanded, (2) the term of tenancy or occupancy has ended, or (3) the terms or conditions of the lease have been violated. (B) For residential rental agreements, nonpayment of rent within five days of the date due constitutes legal notice to the tenant that the landlord has the right to begin ejectment proceedings under this chapter if a written rental agreement specifies in bold conspicuous type that nonpayment of rent constitutes such notice. This requirement is satisfied if the written rental agreement contains the notice specified in Section 27-40-710(B).
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 27-37-10, South Carolina law identifies three circumstances that can give a landlord grounds to seek a tenant's removal through ejectment proceedings: the tenant has not paid rent when it is due or when demanded, the rental period has come to an end, or the tenant has violated the terms or conditions of the lease. For residential tenancies, the law also provides that if a written rental agreement contains a specific bold, conspicuous notice—or the notice described in Section 27-40-710(B)—then a tenant's failure to pay rent within five days of the due date itself serves as legal notice that ejectment proceedings may begin, without any separate written demand being required.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under S.C. Code Ann. § 27-37-10 generally ensure that their written residential rental agreements include the bold, conspicuous notice language required by the statute—or the specific notice referenced in Section 27-40-710(B)—so that nonpayment of rent beyond the five-day grace period automatically constitutes legal notice to the tenant. Compliant operators also document lease violations and the end of tenancy terms carefully, since all three statutory grounds for ejectment depend on the facts being clearly established. Maintaining thorough records of rent due dates, payment history, and any lease violations supports a landlord's ability to pursue ejectment proceedings when the conditions of § 27-37-10 are met.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 27-37-10, tenants in South Carolina should be aware that ejectment proceedings can be initiated on three distinct grounds: nonpayment of rent, expiration of the tenancy, or a lease violation. For residential tenants, whether a landlord must separately demand rent before starting ejectment may depend on whether the rental agreement contains the specific bold notice language described in § 27-37-10(B) and Section 27-40-710(B)—making it worthwhile to review the lease carefully. Tenants who believe an ejectment action has been improperly initiated may have the ability to raise procedural or substantive defenses, and consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with South Carolina housing law can help identify 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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation