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.
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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