Lexington is the seat of Lexington County and one of the fastest-growing communities in the Columbia metro area. Renters in Lexington are protected by South Carolina's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (S.C. Code §§ 27-40-10 et seq.), which establishes baseline rights and duties for both landlords and tenants across the state.
South Carolina does not permit cities or counties to enact rent control, and Lexington has no local tenant-protection ordinances beyond state law. This means your protections derive entirely from the state statute, your lease agreement, and applicable county or town housing codes. Understanding your rights under state law is the most important step any Lexington renter can take.
South Carolina has no statewide rent control law, and no municipality in the state has enacted a rent stabilization ordinance. Lexington landlords may raise rent by any amount, provided they give the proper advance written notice required to terminate or modify the existing rental agreement. For month-to-month tenants, the landlord must give at least 30 days' notice before implementing a rent increase.
Because there is no limit on rent increases, tenants who receive a significant hike at lease renewal should compare market rents in Lexington and negotiate with their landlord if possible. If a rent increase feels retaliatory — for example, following a code complaint — South Carolina law (S.C. Code § 27-40-910) prohibits such retaliation and may give you legal recourse.
South Carolina's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act provides meaningful protections for renters. Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition — including working plumbing, heat, and weatherproofing — and must comply with applicable housing codes (S.C. Code § 27-40-440). After you give written notice of a needed repair, the landlord generally has 14 days to address non-emergency issues. If the landlord fails to act, remedies may include rent withholding through escrow or lease termination.
The Act also prohibits retaliation. Under S.C. Code § 27-40-910, a landlord may not raise rent, decrease services, or attempt to evict you in response to your reporting code violations, joining a tenant organization, or exercising any right under the Act. Retaliatory conduct creates a defense to an eviction action and may entitle you to damages.
Lockouts and utility shutoffs to force a tenant out are expressly prohibited by S.C. Code § 27-40-660. Any landlord who attempts a self-help eviction may face liability for actual damages plus attorney's fees. These protections apply to all residential renters in Lexington County.
South Carolina's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act imposes no cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. However, the statute does strictly regulate how deposits must be handled. Under S.C. Code § 27-40-410, your landlord must return your deposit — or the unreturned portion — along with an itemized written statement of deductions within 30 days of the termination of your tenancy.
If your landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit without providing the required statement, you may be entitled to recover three times the amount improperly withheld, plus attorney's fees (S.C. Code § 27-40-410(c)). To protect yourself, conduct a move-out walkthrough with your landlord if possible, take dated photos of the unit's condition, and return your keys in writing (by text or email) to create a clear record of the move-out date.
Evictions in South Carolina must follow the process outlined in S.C. Code §§ 27-40-710 through 27-40-780. A landlord must provide proper written notice before filing suit. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must give a 5-day written notice to pay or vacate. For material lease violations, the landlord must give a 14-day written notice to cure or quit. For month-to-month tenancies being ended without cause, at least 30 days' written notice is required.
If you do not comply with the notice, the landlord must file an ejectment action in Lexington County Magistrate Court. You will receive a summons and have the opportunity to appear and present your defense. If the court rules against you, you will have a limited period to vacate before a writ of ejectment is issued. At no point may the landlord remove you without a court order — doing so is illegal and may give you grounds to recover damages.
Lexington County renters needing legal assistance can contact South Carolina Legal Services at sclegal.org, which provides free civil legal help to income-qualifying residents statewide, including housing and eviction matters. Midlands Legal Services also serves the Columbia-Lexington metro region for housing issues.
The South Carolina Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at scag.gov can receive complaints about landlord misconduct. Lexington County's Building and Development Services office handles code enforcement and housing code complaints. The SC Bar's Lawyer Referral Service (1-800-868-2284) can connect you with a private attorney for a reduced-fee initial consultation.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Landlord-tenant law can vary based on individual circumstances, local ordinances, and changes in state law. If you have a specific legal problem, please consult a licensed South Carolina attorney or contact a legal aid organization in your area.
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