S.C. Code Ann. § 27-47-520
Security deposit
Operative Text
Upon termination of a tenancy, monies held by the owner as a security deposit or prepaid rent must be returned less amounts withheld by the owner for accrued rent or damages the owner has suffered by reason of the resident's noncompliance with Section 27-47-510. Deductions must be itemized in a written notice to the resident within thirty days after termination of the tenancy. The resident shall provide the owner a forwarding address. The owner is not liable for damages if the resident does not provide a forwarding address and the owner has no notice of the resident's address and mails the notice to the resident's last known address. If the owner does not return monies due the resident, he may recover an amount equal to three times the amount wrongfully withheld and reasonable attorney's fees.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 27-47-520, when a tenancy ends, the property owner must return any security deposit or prepaid rent, minus documented deductions for unpaid rent or damages caused by the resident's failure to comply with § 27-47-510. Any amounts withheld must be explained in an itemized written notice sent to the resident within thirty days of the tenancy's end. If an owner wrongfully withholds money owed to the resident, the resident may be entitled to recover three times the withheld amount plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators covered by S.C. Code Ann. § 27-47-520 generally maintain detailed records of a unit's condition and any unpaid rent so that legitimate deductions can be documented clearly. A compliant owner sends an itemized written statement of any deductions to the resident's forwarding address within thirty days of the tenancy's termination, returning any remaining balance at the same time. When a resident does not provide a forwarding address, a diligent owner mails the notice to the resident's last known address and retains proof of that mailing, as § 27-47-520 provides a liability shield in that circumstance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
S.C. Code Ann. § 27-47-520 gives residents the right to receive their security deposit or prepaid rent back—minus only properly documented deductions—along with an itemized written explanation of any amounts kept, all within thirty days of the tenancy ending. Providing a forwarding address to the owner is an important step under this provision, as it ensures the notice and any refund can reach you. If an owner fails to return money owed without proper justification, § 27-47-520 allows a resident to seek up to three times the wrongfully withheld amount plus attorney's fees; tenant-rights organizations in South Carolina can help residents understand how to pursue that remedy.
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