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North Myrtle Beach is a coastal resort city in Horry County, South Carolina, with a significant year-round renter population alongside seasonal and short-term residents. The city's active tourism economy and beachfront rental market mean tenants frequently encounter questions about lease terms, security deposit returns, and landlord maintenance obligations. All residential tenancies in North Myrtle Beach are governed by the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, found at S.C. Code §§ 27-40-10 through 27-40-940.
North Myrtle Beach has not enacted any local tenant protection ordinances beyond what South Carolina state law provides. That means rent increases are unrestricted, there is no local rent registry, and no additional security deposit rules apply. However, the state statute still gives renters meaningful protections on habitability, deposit returns, retaliation, and the eviction process — rights that apply equally to every renter in North Myrtle Beach.
This article explains those protections in plain language with specific statute citations. It is intended as general information only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are facing eviction, a dispute over your deposit, or another housing emergency, contact a qualified attorney or a free legal aid organization as soon as possible.
North Myrtle Beach has no rent control. South Carolina does not have a statewide rent control law, and the City of North Myrtle Beach has not enacted any local rent stabilization or rent increase limitation ordinance. The entire landlord-tenant relationship in North Myrtle Beach is governed by the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, S.C. Code §§ 27-40-10 et seq.
Because South Carolina imposes no restriction on the amount or frequency of rent increases, a landlord in North Myrtle Beach may raise rent by any dollar amount at any time — as long as proper notice is given before the increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, that means at least 30 days' written notice before a new rental rate applies (S.C. Code § 27-40-770). For fixed-term leases, the rent cannot change until the lease term ends unless the lease itself allows for mid-term adjustments.
In practice, this means North Myrtle Beach renters have no legal recourse to challenge the amount of a rent increase itself — only the adequacy of the notice. If you receive a rent increase notice, verify that you received the full 30 days required by S.C. Code § 27-40-770 before the new rate becomes effective. If you believe the increase is retaliatory — for example, following a complaint about repairs — you may have a defense under S.C. Code § 27-40-910 (see the Retaliation section below).
The following state-law protections apply to every residential renter in North Myrtle Beach under the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (S.C. Code Title 27, Chapter 40).
Habitability (S.C. Code § 27-40-440): Landlords must maintain rental units in a fit and habitable condition. This includes complying with applicable building and housing codes, keeping common areas clean and safe, maintaining heating and plumbing in working order, and providing adequate weatherproofing. Tenants also have duties — to keep their unit clean and not damage the property — under S.C. Code § 27-40-510.
Repairs & Notice (S.C. Code § 27-40-630): If a landlord fails to make a required repair, a tenant must deliver written notice describing the problem. The landlord then has 14 days to begin remedial action (or fewer days in an emergency). If the landlord fails to act, the tenant may be entitled to terminate the lease, seek a rent reduction, or pursue court remedies. Tenants should keep a copy of all written repair requests with proof of delivery.
Security Deposit Rules (S.C. Code § 27-40-410): No statutory cap on the deposit amount. The landlord must return the deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days of the tenancy ending and the tenant vacating. Wrongful withholding entitles the tenant to three times the improperly withheld amount plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Notice to Terminate (S.C. Code § 27-40-770): Either party must give at least 30 days' written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. For a week-to-week tenancy, 7 days' written notice is required. Fixed-term leases expire automatically at the end of the term unless the parties agree otherwise.
Anti-Retaliation (S.C. Code § 27-40-910): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting housing code violations, complaining to a government agency, or exercising any legal right under the Act. Prohibited retaliatory acts include raising rent, reducing services, or initiating eviction within 90 days of a protected tenant action. Retaliation is an affirmative defense in an eviction proceeding.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (S.C. Code § 27-40-660): Self-help eviction is illegal in South Carolina. A landlord cannot remove a tenant by changing the locks, removing doors or windows, or deliberately shutting off utilities to force the tenant out. The only legal way to remove a tenant is through the court eviction process (see the Eviction section below).
Security deposit rules for North Myrtle Beach renters are set entirely by S.C. Code § 27-40-410. There is no statutory cap on how much a landlord may collect as a security deposit — the amount is whatever the lease states. However, once the tenancy ends, strict rules govern what the landlord must do with that money.
Return Deadline: The landlord must return the security deposit — or the remaining balance after lawful deductions — within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant delivers possession of the unit. The deposit must be accompanied by an itemized written statement describing each deduction and its dollar amount. Allowable deductions include unpaid rent and charges for damage to the unit beyond normal wear and tear.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord willfully fails to return the deposit or provide the itemized statement within the 30-day window, the tenant is entitled to recover three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees, under S.C. Code § 27-40-410(c). This triple-damages remedy is a powerful tool for tenants, but it requires that the withholding be willful — meaning the landlord knew the deductions were improper or simply refused to comply.
Practical Tips: Document the condition of the unit thoroughly at move-in and move-out with dated photos and a written checklist. Provide your forwarding address in writing to the landlord on or before your move-out date, as the 30-day clock begins when the tenancy terminates and possession is surrendered. Keep copies of your lease, your move-in checklist, and all communications with your landlord.
Landlords in North Myrtle Beach must follow the judicial eviction process established by the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (S.C. Code §§ 27-40-710 through 27-40-750) and the South Carolina Ejectment statute (S.C. Code § 27-37-10 et seq.). Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — is illegal under S.C. Code § 27-40-660.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice appropriate to the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in Magistrate's Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an ejectment action in the local Horry County Magistrate's Court. The filing fee is set by the court. The tenant will be served with a summons and given an opportunity to respond and appear.
Step 3 — Hearing: Both parties appear before a magistrate. The tenant has the right to present defenses, including improper notice, habitability issues, or retaliation (S.C. Code § 27-40-910). If the magistrate rules for the landlord, a Writ of Ejectment is issued.
Step 4 — Enforcement: The Writ of Ejectment is executed by a law enforcement officer. Only at this point may the landlord legally take possession. Any landlord attempt to remove a tenant before a Writ is issued — including locking out the tenant or removing belongings — exposes the landlord to liability under S.C. Code § 27-40-660.
Just Cause Requirement: South Carolina does not require just cause to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. A landlord may end such a tenancy for any reason or no reason, as long as 30 days' written notice is provided. Fixed-term leases, however, cannot be terminated early without cause unless the lease provides otherwise.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information on this page reflects South Carolina law as of April 2026, but laws and local ordinances can change. Renters in North Myrtle Beach facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other housing legal matter should consult a licensed attorney or contact a free legal aid organization such as SC Legal Services. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading or using this site.
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