Last updated: April 2026
Spartanburg 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 a strict ban on self-help eviction. No rent control exists in Spartanburg.
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Spartanburg is a city of approximately 40,000 residents in Spartanburg County in the Upstate region of South Carolina. The city serves as an economic and educational hub for the region, home to several colleges and a growing manufacturing sector. Renters in Spartanburg are protected by the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (S.C. Code §§ 27-40-10 et seq.), which establishes statewide rights and responsibilities for both landlords and tenants. Spartanburg has not enacted any local rent control or additional tenant protections beyond state law.
South Carolina law provides important baseline protections: a 30-day deposit return deadline with triple-damages penalty for wrongful withholding, a 30-day notice requirement for terminating month-to-month tenancies, habitability standards with repair remedies, anti-retaliation protections, and a strict prohibition on self-help eviction.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Renters facing urgent housing issues should contact Upstate SC Legal Services or another qualified attorney.
Spartanburg has no rent control, and landlords may raise rent by any amount. South Carolina has no statewide rent control law, and no South Carolina city has enacted a local rent stabilization ordinance. A Spartanburg landlord may raise rent by any dollar amount, provided the tenant receives at least 30 days' written notice before the end of the current rental period for month-to-month tenancies (S.C. Code § 27-40-770). There are no caps, no percentage limits, and no requirement to justify the size of the increase. Tenants who cannot afford a rent increase have no legal mechanism to challenge it on the basis of amount alone.
The South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (S.C. Code §§ 27-40-10 et seq.) governs rentals in Spartanburg. Key protections include:
Implied Warranty of Habitability: Landlords must maintain premises in a habitable condition — working heat, plumbing, electrical systems, and freedom from vermin (S.C. Code § 27-40-440). After written notice, landlords have 14 days to make non-emergency repairs. Remedies for failure include rent escrow and lease termination (S.C. Code § 27-40-630).
Notice to Terminate: Month-to-month tenancies require at least 30 days' written notice before the landlord (or tenant) terminates the tenancy (S.C. Code § 27-40-770).
Anti-Retaliation: Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for reporting code violations or exercising legal rights by raising rent or initiating eviction (S.C. Code § 27-40-910).
Lockout Prohibition: Self-help eviction is illegal. Landlords must obtain a court order before removing a tenant (S.C. Code § 27-40-660).
Security deposit rules in Spartanburg are set by S.C. Code § 27-40-410.
Cap: South Carolina has no statutory cap on the security deposit amount. Landlords may charge any amount, though market norms typically keep deposits at one to two months' rent.
Return Deadline: After the tenant vacates, the landlord must return the deposit with a written itemized statement of deductions within 30 days.
Penalty: If the landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the required statement within 30 days, the tenant may recover triple the amount wrongfully withheld — one of the stronger statutory penalties in the country.
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. Provide your forwarding address in writing when you vacate.
Evictions in Spartanburg must follow South Carolina's formal legal process under S.C. Code §§ 27-40-710 et seq. A landlord cannot remove a tenant without a court order.
Written Notice: For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must give 5 days' written notice to pay or vacate (S.C. Code § 27-40-710(a)). For material lease violations, the landlord must give 14 days' notice and an opportunity to cure (S.C. Code § 27-40-710(b)). To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, 30 days' written notice is required (S.C. Code § 27-40-770).
Court Filing: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord files an eviction action ("Ejectment") in Spartanburg County Magistrate Court. A hearing is scheduled and both parties may appear.
Judgment and Writ: If the court rules for the landlord, a writ of ejectment may be issued after any appeal period expires. Only law enforcement may execute the writ and remove the tenant.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Changing locks, shutting off utilities, or removing belongings without a court order violates S.C. Code § 27-40-660. Tenants who experience this should call 911 and contact SC Legal Services.
No. Spartanburg has no rent control ordinance, and South Carolina has no statewide rent control law. No South Carolina city has enacted a local rent stabilization ordinance. Landlords in Spartanburg may raise rent by any amount with at least 30 days' written notice for month-to-month tenancies under S.C. Code § 27-40-770.
There is no legal limit on rent increases in Spartanburg. Your landlord may raise rent by any amount. For month-to-month tenancies, the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice before the increase takes effect (S.C. Code § 27-40-770). For fixed-term leases, rent 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 any deductions. If the landlord fails to comply within 30 days, you may recover triple the amount wrongfully withheld — one of the strongest penalties in the country. Provide your forwarding address in writing at move-out.
For nonpayment of rent, 5 days' written notice to pay or vacate (S.C. Code § 27-40-710(a)). For a lease violation, 14 days' notice with an opportunity to cure (S.C. Code § 27-40-710(b)). To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, 30 days' written notice is required (S.C. Code § 27-40-770). After notice, the landlord must file in Magistrate Court and obtain a court order before removing you.
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in South Carolina under S.C. Code § 27-40-660. A landlord may not change your locks, remove doors, or shut off heat, water, or electricity without a court order. If this happens, call 911 to document it, then contact SC Legal Services at 1-888-346-5592.
Notify your landlord in writing of the needed repairs. Under S.C. Code § 27-40-630, if the landlord fails to make non-emergency repairs within 14 days of written notice, you may be able to place rent in escrow or terminate the lease. You can also report habitability violations to Spartanburg's code enforcement office. 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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