Myrtle Beach is a coastal city of approximately 35,000 permanent residents in Horry County, attracting millions of tourists annually. The hospitality and service industry drives local employment, creating a large year-round and seasonal renter population. Tenants in Myrtle Beach 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 important protections: a 30-day deposit return deadline with triple-damages penalty, 30-day notice for month-to-month terminations, habitability standards with a 14-day repair window, anti-retaliation protections, and a ban on self-help eviction.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Renters with housing emergencies should contact SC Legal Services or Grand Strand Legal Services.
Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach 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). The seasonal nature of the Myrtle Beach rental market can mean significant rent fluctuations, but these are not limited by law.
The South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (S.C. Code §§ 27-40-10 et seq.) applies to all residential rentals in Myrtle Beach. 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; court order required to remove a tenant (S.C. Code § 27-40-660).
Security deposit rules for Myrtle Beach tenants are set by S.C. Code § 27-40-410.
Cap: No statutory cap on security deposits in South Carolina.
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, and provide your forwarding address in writing when you vacate.
Evictions in Myrtle Beach follow South Carolina's formal 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 Horry County Magistrate Court. Both parties may appear at a hearing.
Judgment and Writ: After judgment for the landlord, a writ of ejectment may issue. Only law enforcement may execute the writ.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Lockouts, utility shutoffs, or removal of belongings without a court order violate S.C. Code § 27-40-660. Call 911 and contact SC Legal Services if this occurs.
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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