Florence is the largest city in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina, with roughly 38,000 residents in Florence County. As a regional healthcare, retail, and transportation hub, Florence has a sizeable renter population. Tenants in Florence are governed by the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (S.C. Code §§ 27-40-10 et seq.), which provides statewide baseline protections. Florence has not enacted any local rent control or additional tenant ordinances.
State law provides important protections including: a 30-day deposit return deadline with triple-damages penalty, 30-day notice to terminate month-to-month tenancies, habitability standards with a 14-day repair window, anti-retaliation provisions, and a ban on self-help eviction.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Renters facing housing emergencies should contact SC Legal Services or a licensed attorney.
Florence has no rent control, and landlords may raise rent by any amount. South Carolina has no statewide rent control law, and no city in South Carolina has enacted a local ordinance. A Florence landlord may raise rent by any amount with 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). No caps, percentage limits, or justification requirements exist. Tenants cannot challenge a rent increase solely based on its amount.
The South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (S.C. Code §§ 27-40-10 et seq.) governs rentals in Florence. Key statewide protections include:
Implied Warranty of Habitability: Landlords must maintain habitable premises with working heat, plumbing, and electrical systems (S.C. Code § 27-40-440). After written notice, landlords have 14 days for non-emergency repairs. Failure may allow rent escrow or lease termination (S.C. Code § 27-40-630).
Notice to Terminate: At least 30 days' written notice required 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 before removing a tenant (S.C. Code § 27-40-660).
Security deposit protections in Florence are governed by S.C. Code § 27-40-410.
Cap: South Carolina has no statutory cap on the security deposit amount.
Return Deadline: Landlords must return the deposit with a written itemized statement of deductions 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 Florence follow South Carolina's formal judicial process (S.C. Code §§ 27-40-710 et seq.). A landlord cannot remove a tenant without a court order.
Written Notice: Nonpayment of rent requires 5 days' written notice to pay or vacate (S.C. Code § 27-40-710(B)). Material lease violations require 14 days' notice with an opportunity to cure (S.C. Code § 27-40-710(A)). To end 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, the landlord files an ejectment action in Florence County Magistrate Court. Both parties may attend and present their case.
Judgment and Writ: If the court rules for the landlord, a writ of ejectment may issue. Only law enforcement may physically remove the tenant.
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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