S.C. Code Ann. § 27-37-20
Ejectment proceedings
Operative Text
Any tenant may be ejected in the following manner, to wit: Upon application by the landlord or his agent or attorney any magistrate having jurisdiction shall issue a written rule requiring the tenant forthwith to vacate the premises occupied by him or to show cause why he should not be ejected before the magistrate within ten days after service of a copy of such rule upon the tenant.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 27-37-20, South Carolina law establishes a magistrate-court process through which a landlord may seek to remove a tenant from a rental property. When a landlord (or their agent or attorney) applies to a magistrate with jurisdiction, the magistrate is required to issue a written rule ordering the tenant either to vacate the premises immediately or to appear before the magistrate within ten days of being served to contest the ejectment. This provision sets out the formal procedural starting point for ejectment actions in South Carolina.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 27-37-20, a landlord who wishes to pursue ejectment typically initiates the process by submitting an application to a magistrate court with proper jurisdiction over the property. Compliant operators generally work through a licensed attorney or authorized agent when filing such applications and ensure that the written rule issued by the magistrate is properly served on the tenant. Maintaining accurate records of the application, the issued rule, and proof of service is a standard practice in managing ejectment proceedings under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
S.C. Code Ann. § 27-37-20 gives tenants the right to respond to an ejectment action rather than simply being removed without recourse — specifically, a tenant who is served with a magistrate's written rule has up to ten days to appear before the magistrate and show cause why they should not be ejected. Tenants who receive such a rule generally have the option of appearing at the magistrate hearing to present any defenses or counterclaims they may have. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services in South Carolina can help individuals understand what defenses may be available and how the magistrate hearing process works under this provision.
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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