S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-720
Noncompliance affecting health and safety
Operative Text
(a) If there is noncompliance by the tenant with Section 27-40-510 materially affecting health and safety that can be remedied by repair, replacement of a damaged item, or cleaning, and the tenant fails to comply as promptly as conditions require in case of emergency or within fourteen days after written notice by the landlord specifying the breach and requesting that the tenant remedy it within that period of time, the landlord may enter the dwelling unit and cause the work to be done in a workmanlike manner and the tenant shall reimburse the landlord for the cost and, in addition, the landlord shall have the remedies available under this chapter. (b) If there is noncompliance by the tenant with SECTION 27-40-510 materially affecting health and safety other than as set forth in subsection (a) above, and the tenant fails to comply as promptly as conditions require in case of emergency, or within fourteen days after written notice by the landlord if it is not an emergency, specifying the breach and requesting that the tenant remedy within that period of time, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement.
Section 27-40-720 of the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act addresses situations where a tenant's failure to meet their obligations under § 27-40-510 creates a material health or safety concern. Under subsection (a), if the problem is one that can be fixed through repair, replacement, or cleaning, the landlord may step in and have the work done after proper notice, and the tenant becomes responsible for those costs. Under subsection (b), if the health or safety violation is of a different nature and the tenant does not correct it within the required timeframe, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators dealing with a tenant-caused health or safety condition covered by § 27-40-720 generally document the specific breach in writing and deliver a notice that identifies the problem and requests correction within fourteen days, or immediately in an emergency. For remediable issues under subsection (a), compliant landlords typically arrange for workmanlike repairs and retain documentation of costs for reimbursement purposes. For non-remediable violations under subsection (b), operators who follow the statute's notice requirements preserve their right to pursue lease termination and other remedies available under Chapter 40.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 27-40-720 sets out the conditions under which a landlord may either enter a unit to perform corrective work or move to terminate a tenancy based on a tenant's health-or-safety-related noncompliance with § 27-40-510. Tenants who receive a written notice under this provision have the right to remedy the identified condition within the stated timeframe, which can prevent further action by the landlord. Tenants who believe a notice was improperly issued or that they have already corrected the condition may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with South Carolina landlord-tenant law to understand 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