Last updated: April 2026
Goose Creek renters are protected by the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act — including a 30-day deposit return deadline, triple-damages penalty for wrongful withholding, and strict prohibition on self-help eviction.
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Goose Creek is a fast-growing city of roughly 48,000 residents in Berkeley County, part of the greater Charleston metropolitan area. The city's proximity to Joint Base Charleston and a growing industrial base draw a large renter population. Tenants in Goose Creek are governed by the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (S.C. Code §§ 27-40-10 et seq.), and the city has enacted no local rent control or additional tenant ordinances.
State law provides key baseline protections: a 30-day deposit return deadline with triple-damages penalty, 30-day notice for month-to-month termination, habitability standards with a 14-day repair window, anti-retaliation provisions, and a ban on self-help eviction.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Renters with urgent housing needs should contact SC Legal Services or Lowcountry Legal Volunteers.
Goose Creek has no rent control, and landlords may raise rent by any amount. South Carolina has no statewide rent control law and no municipality has enacted one. A Goose Creek landlord may raise rent by any amount with at least 30 days' written notice for month-to-month tenancies (S.C. Code § 27-40-770). Tenants have no legal mechanism to challenge a rent increase based solely on its size.
The South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (S.C. Code §§ 27-40-10 et seq.) applies to all rentals in Goose Creek. Key protections include:
Implied Warranty of Habitability: Landlords must maintain habitable conditions — working heat, plumbing, and electrical systems (S.C. Code § 27-40-440). Non-emergency repairs must be made within 14 days of written notice; failure may allow rent escrow or lease termination (S.C. Code § 27-40-630).
Notice to Terminate: At least 30 days' written notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy (S.C. Code § 27-40-770).
Anti-Retaliation: Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for reporting code violations or exercising legal rights (S.C. Code § 27-40-910).
Lockout Prohibition: Self-help eviction is illegal; a court order is required to remove a tenant (S.C. Code § 27-40-660).
Security deposit rules in Goose Creek are set by S.C. Code § 27-40-410.
Cap: South Carolina has no statutory cap on security deposits.
Return Deadline: Landlords must return the deposit with a written itemized statement within 30 days of the tenant vacating.
Penalty: Wrongful withholding beyond 30 days entitles the tenant to triple the amount improperly withheld.
Allowable Deductions: Unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear. Document your unit's condition with dated photos at move-in and move-out.
Evictions in Goose Creek must follow South Carolina's judicial process (S.C. Code §§ 27-40-710 et seq.). No landlord may remove a tenant without a court order.
Written Notice: Nonpayment of rent: 5 days' written notice (S.C. Code § 27-40-710(a)). Lease violation: 14 days' notice with opportunity to cure (S.C. Code § 27-40-710(b)). Month-to-month termination: 30 days' written notice (S.C. Code § 27-40-770).
Court Filing: If the tenant does not comply, the landlord files in Berkeley County Magistrate Court. Both parties may appear.
Judgment and Writ: After a judgment for the landlord, a writ of ejectment may issue. Only law enforcement executes the writ.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Changing locks, cutting utilities, or removing belongings without a court order violates S.C. Code § 27-40-660. Call 911 and contact SC Legal Services if this happens.
No. Goose Creek has no rent control ordinance, and South Carolina has no statewide rent control law. Landlords may raise rent by any amount with at least 30 days' written notice for month-to-month tenancies (S.C. Code § 27-40-770).
There is no legal limit. South Carolina has no rent control, so your landlord may raise rent by any amount. For month-to-month tenancies, at least 30 days' written notice is required (S.C. Code § 27-40-770). Fixed-term leases generally cannot be raised until the lease expires.
30 days after you vacate, under S.C. Code § 27-40-410. Your landlord must also provide a written itemized statement of deductions. Failure to comply within 30 days entitles you to triple the amount wrongfully withheld. Provide your forwarding address in writing at move-out.
For nonpayment of rent, 5 days' written notice (S.C. Code § 27-40-710(a)). For a lease violation, 14 days' notice with opportunity to cure (S.C. Code § 27-40-710(b)). To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, 30 days' written notice (S.C. Code § 27-40-770). The landlord must then obtain a court order before removing you.
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in South Carolina under S.C. Code § 27-40-660. Changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off heat, water, or electricity without a court order is prohibited. Call 911 to document it, then contact SC Legal Services at 1-888-346-5592.
Notify your landlord in writing. If non-emergency repairs aren't made within 14 days of written notice, you may be able to place rent in escrow or terminate the lease under S.C. Code § 27-40-630. You can also report violations to Goose Creek's code enforcement. Contact SC Legal Services before withholding rent.
This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Information reflects laws in effect as of April 2026. If you face eviction, a deposit dispute, or another housing issue, contact a licensed South Carolina attorney or SC Legal Services. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and cannot provide legal representation or advice.
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