South Carolina Security Deposit Law: How Many Days and What to Do
In South Carolina, a landlord has 30 calendar days (ordinary return/itemization deadline (whichever event is later starts or completes the 30-day clock)) to return a security deposit. Use the dates below to calculate your deadline (S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410).
Last checked 2026-07-14
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Details of the return rules
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| ordinary return/itemization deadline (whichever event is later starts or completes the 30-day clock) | 30 days | after the later of (i) termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession, or (ii) demand by the tenant |
South Carolina return rule: 30 calendar days (ordinary return/itemization deadline (whichever event is later starts or completes the 30-day clock)). Check the dates you entered above.
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 |
| Statute citation | S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410 |
How does South Carolina's deadline compare with other states?
South Carolina's return deadline is 30 days. The middle of the comparable state deadlines is ≈30 days. Use the dates and questions above to see which deadline applies to you.
| State | Return rule |
|---|---|
| South Carolina | 30 days |
| Colorado | 30 days |
| Georgia | 30 days |
| Iowa | 30 days |
| Louisiana | 30 days |
| Maine | 30 days |
See all 51 jurisdictions
| State | Return rule |
|---|---|
| Montana | 10 days |
| Alaska | 14 days |
| Arizona | 14 days |
| Hawaii | 14 days |
| Kansas | 14 days |
| Nebraska | 14 days |
| New York | 14 days |
| Vermont | 14 days |
| Florida | 15 days |
| Delaware | 20 days |
| Rhode Island | 20 days |
| California | 21 days |
| Connecticut | 21 days |
| Idaho | 21 days |
| Minnesota | 21 days |
| South Dakota | 21 days |
| Wisconsin | 21 days |
| Colorado | 30 days |
| Georgia | 30 days |
| Iowa | 30 days |
| Louisiana | 30 days |
| Maine | 30 days |
| Massachusetts | 30 days |
| Michigan | 30 days |
| Missouri | 30 days |
| Nevada | 30 days |
| New Hampshire | 30 days |
| New Jersey | 30 days |
| New Mexico | 30 days |
| North Carolina | 30 days |
| North Dakota | 30 days |
| Ohio | 30 days |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days |
| South Carolina | 30 days |
| Texas | 30 days |
| Utah | 30 days |
| Washington | 30 days |
| Wyoming | 30 days |
| Oregon | 31 days |
| District of Columbia | 45 days |
| Illinois | 45 days |
| Indiana | 45 days |
| Maryland | 45 days |
| Mississippi | 45 days |
| Oklahoma | 45 days |
| Virginia | 45 days |
| Alabama | 60 days |
| Arkansas | 60 days |
| West Virginia | 60 days |
| Kentucky | No fixed return deadline |
| Tennessee | No fixed return deadline |
Source: state statute records · checked 2026-07-14 · n=48 fixed rules among 51 jurisdictions · method: first listed return deadline; calendar months plotted as ≈30 days · computed, not measured · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6
What happens if the landlord misses the deadline?
tenant may recover the property and money in an amount equal to three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees The statutory amount depends on the facts and any conditions in S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410; it is separate from the deposit owed.
South Carolina is one of 36 states where the law sets a multiple of the deposit.
| Rule | States | Share |
|---|---|---|
| The law sets a multiple of the deposit ← South Carolina | 36 | 71% |
| The law names another remedy (forfeiture, fees, damages) | 10 | 20% |
| Read the cited remedy; no multiple is set | 5 | 10% |
With a deposit of $985 (median county rent), a claim for the deposit plus the maximum penalty is $3,940; fits under the $7,500 small claims limit.
Source: S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410 · checked 2026-07-14 · n=51 · method: computed from state records · computed, not measured · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6
What do you have to do before you can claim the penalty?
Send the required information to start the clock.
- Demand the deposit; give a forwarding address in writing or the triple-damages remedy is lost. S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410
Does the deadline move if it falls on a weekend or holiday?
South Carolina law does not clearly say whether a deposit deadline moves when it falls on a weekend or holiday.
To be safe: if the last day falls on a weekend or holiday, treat the deadline as passed only after the next business day. Example: October 10, 2026 is a Saturday, so wait until October 12, 2026 before saying the deadline has passed.
What South Carolina law requires of the landlord
The deposit return rule is 30 calendar days (ordinary return/itemization deadline (whichever event is later starts or completes the 30-day clock)). The law also requires an itemized statement when deductions are made.
- Return window
- 30 calendar days (ordinary return/itemization deadline (whichever event is later starts or completes the 30-day clock))
- Itemization
- Required
- Receipts threshold
- No separate threshold recorded
- Interest
Is interest owed on a deposit in South Carolina?
South Carolina is one of 37 states where interest is not required by state law.
| Rule | States | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Required by state law | 3 | 6% |
| Owed only in some cases | 11 | 22% |
| Not required by state law ← South Carolina | 37 | 73% |
Source: S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410 · checked 2026-07-14 · n=51 · method: computed from state records · computed, not measured · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6
South Carolina security deposit deductions
FAQ
How do I confirm the South Carolina deadline?
Use the questions above to match your dates to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410, and keep proof of each date.
What is the small claims limit in South Carolina?
See the applicable court limits and jurisdictions in the state court guide. South Carolina court guide
City data on this page currently includes Charleston, Columbia, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Rock Hill, Greenville, Summerville, Goose Creek.
Statute text, sources and changes
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
Sources
- https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t27c040.php · accessed 2026-07-14
- https://www.scjustice.org/brochure/landlord-tenant-law-south-carolina/ · accessed 2026-07-14
Changes
- : Record verified against the cited statute.
Verified 2026-07-14 · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6