Eviction notice rules in South Carolina
Nonpayment notice
5-day notice: if rent is unpaid when due and the tenant fails to pay within 5 days of the due date, the landlord may terminate — but must first give written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate. That written-notice duty is SATISFIED by conspicuous bold lease language reading 'IF YOU DO NOT PAY YOUR RENT ON TIME... You will get no other notice as long as you live in this rental unit' — with that clause in the lease, no further written notice is ever needed (S.C. Code § 27-40-710(B)).
Lease-violation notice
14-day notice to cure or quit for material noncompliance with the lease or tenant duties; if the breach is remediable and the tenant adequately remedies it (or commences the remedy within 14 days and pursues it in good faith to completion), the lease does not terminate (S.C. Code § 27-40-710(A)).
Unconditional quit (no second chance)
Illegal activity: no notice required before filing (per SC practice sources). Repeat same/similar violations may be terminated without a further cure chance — exact repeat-violation rule unverified, needs attorney review.
No-cause / end-of-tenancy notice
Month-to-month: at least 30 days' written notice; week-to-week: 7 days' written notice (S.C. Code § 27-40-770).
How the notice must be served
Pre-suit notice must be delivered in person or posted conspicuously at the property. The court's Rule to Vacate or Show Cause is served personally (two attempts required), then by mail; if posted-and-mailed service is used, the tenant's 10-day response clock starts on the 11th day after mailing (S.C. Code § 27-37-30).
Your right to fix it (cure)
Remediable breaches cured (or commenced in good faith) within 14 days keep the lease alive; rent paid within the 5-day window defeats termination.
How days are counted
Unverified — needs attorney review (no verified rule found on weekend/holiday counting for SC notices).
After the notice expires
Landlord must file eviction lawsuit; tenant need not leave until court order
Court timeline
Landlord files an Application for Ejectment in magistrate court; the magistrate issues a Rule to Vacate or Show Cause giving the tenant 10 days after service to vacate or show cause (§ 27-37-20). No answer → warrant of ejectment issued (§ 27-37-40). Contested → hearing as a civil case. Execution: constable or deputy sheriff presents the writ and gives the tenant 24 hours to leave before forced removal (§ 27-37-160). Typical total: ~3-5 weeks.
Retaliation & defenses
Retaliatory conduct prohibited; in a possession action the tenant must notify the landlord IN WRITING within 10 days after service of the Rule of intent to raise the retaliation defense (§ 27-40-910). Federal Fair Housing Act discrimination defense.
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