South Carolina Security Deposit Demand Letter
Direct answer
In South Carolina, the landlord must return the deposit within 30 calendar days (ordinary return/itemization deadline (whichever event is later starts or completes the 30-day clock)). The deadline is measured from this trigger: After the later of (i) termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession, or (ii) demand by the tenant. The verified state formula is tenant may recover the property and money in an amount equal to three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees under S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410.
Key facts
| Deadline | 30 calendar days (ordinary return/itemization deadline (whichever event is later starts or completes the 30-day clock)) |
|---|---|
| Deadline trigger | after the later of (i) termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession, or (ii) demand by the tenant |
| Penalty formula | tenant may recover the property and money in an amount equal to three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes |
| Interest on deposit | No |
| Maximum deposit | No fixed statewide dollar or multiple-of-rent cap. If landlord rents more than four adjoining units and uses different deposit standards without required disclosure, excess over lowest comparable deposit is not subject to damage deductions. |
| Forwarding address required | Yes |
| Small claims limit | $7,500 (magistrate court (statewide civil jurisdiction commonly used)) in Magistrate Court (concurrent with circuit court for landlord-tenant claims under chapter) |
| Statute citation | S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410 |
Statute says
Upon termination of the tenancy, property or money held by the landlord as security must be returned less amounts withheld by the landlord for accrued rent and damages which the landlord has suffered by reason of the tenant's noncompliance with Section 27-40-510. Any deduction from the security/rental deposit must be itemized by the landlord in a written notice to the tenant together with the amount due, if any, within thirty days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession and demand by the tenant, whichever is later. The tenant shall provide the landlord in writing with a forwarding address or new address to which the written notice and amount due from the landlord may be sent.
What this means
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together before sending a letter. Match the dates in your documents to the trigger listed above, then cite S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410 and request the deposit amount supported by your records.
Worked example
Use your actual deposit amount when you write the letter. For context, median rent in South Carolina is $985 according to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates data as of .
- Greenville County: $1,262
- Richland County: $1,228
- Charleston County: $1,620
- Horry County: $1,255
Example demand basis: a deposit equal to the state median rent starts at $985 before applying the state formula: tenant may recover the property and money in an amount equal to three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville County | Greenville County Magistrate Courts - Civil Claims, Greenville County summary-court locations | $7,500 (magistrate court (statewide civil jurisdiction commonly used)) | $80 total ($45 filing fee + $10 service fee + $25 statutory fee) | No | Court site |
| Richland County | Richland County Magistrate Court - Small Claims, Columbia | $7,500 (magistrate court (statewide civil jurisdiction commonly used)) | $80 total ($45 filing fee + $10 service fee + $25 statutory fee) | No | Court site |
| Charleston County | Charleston County Magistrate Courts - Small Claims, Charleston County magistrate locations | $7,500 (magistrate court (statewide civil jurisdiction commonly used)) | $80 total ($45 filing fee + $10 service fee + $25 statutory fee) | No | Court site |
| Horry County | Horry County Magistrate Court - Civil Claims, Conway and county magistrate locations | $7,500 (magistrate court (statewide civil jurisdiction commonly used)) | $80 total ($45 filing fee + $10 service fee + $25 statutory fee) | No | Court site |
| Spartanburg County | Spartanburg County Magistrate Court - Civil Claims, Spartanburg and county magistrate locations | $7,500 (magistrate court (statewide civil jurisdiction commonly used)) | $80 total ($45 filing fee + $10 service fee + $25 statutory fee) | No | Court site |
Free South Carolina template, built from verified state data
I am requesting the return of my security deposit. The verified South Carolina data for this page lists a 30 calendar days (ordinary return/itemization deadline (whichever event is later starts or completes the 30-day clock)) return window and cites S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410.
Before you send
- Collect your lease, deposit receipt, and move-in records.
- Save photos, videos, and messages about move-out condition.
- Write down the move-out date you can prove.
- Confirm the forwarding address you gave the landlord.
- Send by certified mail when appropriate, and keep a copy of the final letter and delivery proof.
When this letter will NOT work
- The dispute is not about return of a security deposit.
- You need urgent court relief instead of a demand letter.
- You cannot identify the landlord or property manager to contact.
- Your documents point to a different state or a different kind of claim.
Typical mistakes
- Sending a letter before organizing the documents that prove the timeline.
- Demanding an amount that does not match the payment records.
- Leaving out the forwarding address or preferred response method.
- Mixing repair complaints into a deposit letter without separating the issues.
FAQ
Does Charleston have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable South Carolina law and local rules.
Does Columbia have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable South Carolina law and local rules.
Does North Charleston have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable South Carolina law and local rules.
Does Mount Pleasant have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable South Carolina law and local rules.
Can I use this if I do not know the exact deposit amount?
Use the amount shown in your lease, receipt, or move-in records. If records conflict, keep copies and avoid guessing in the letter.
Should I send evidence with the first letter?
Attach copies when they prove the basic facts, such as payment, move-out condition, forwarding address, or prior messages.
Can this page replace legal advice?
No. This page is self-help information for organizing a demand letter and checking the cited data before you act.
City data on this page currently includes Charleston, Columbia, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Rock Hill, Greenville, Summerville, Goose Creek.
Tenant resources
- South Carolina Legal Serviceslegal aid
- South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center - landlord-tenant guidelegal aid in Columbia
- South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs - consumer complaintsag consumer
- South Carolina Judicial Branch - Magistrate Court FAQcourt self help
- Richland County Magistrate Court - small claims helpcourt self help in Columbia