S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-20
Purposes; rules of construction
Operative Text
(a) This chapter must be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies. (b) Underlying purposes and policies of this chapter are: (1) to simplify, clarify, modernize, and revise the law governing rental of dwelling units and the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants; (2) to encourage landlords and tenants to maintain and improve the quality of housing.
Section 27-40-20 of the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act establishes the foundational purposes behind the entire chapter: to modernize and clarify the legal framework governing residential rentals, and to encourage both landlords and tenants to maintain and improve housing quality. Courts and agencies interpreting any provision within this chapter are directed to read it broadly and in a manner that advances these goals. This means that ambiguous provisions are generally resolved in ways that support clearer rights, responsibilities, and better housing conditions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 27-40-20, the chapter's stated goal of encouraging landlords to maintain and improve housing quality signals that courts will read related obligations broadly. Property owners and managers who document maintenance efforts, respond promptly to repair requests, and keep units in good condition are generally acting in alignment with the chapter's declared purposes. Understanding that this provision sets the interpretive tone for the entire South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act can help operators anticipate how disputes over other sections may be resolved.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 27-40-20 establishes that the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act is meant to be read broadly in favor of its purposes, which include clarifying tenant rights and encouraging quality housing. When a dispute arises under any part of this chapter, tenants may find it relevant that courts are instructed to interpret provisions liberally to advance those goals. Tenants seeking to understand how this interpretive framework applies to a specific situation may benefit from consulting a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with South Carolina housing law.
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 Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation