South Carolina Tenant Harassment Laws
South Carolina prohibits self-help evictions under S.
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Key Rules
- Self Help Prohibited
- Yes — court order required; lockouts and utility shutoffs prohibited
- Retaliation Prohibited
- Yes — retaliatory rent increases, evictions, and service reductions prohibited
- Remedies
- Actual damages plus 3 months rent for wrongful eviction; damages for retaliation
- Quiet Enjoyment
- Implied covenant of quiet enjoyment in all tenancies
Applicable Statutes
Self-help eviction prohibited: landlord may not remove tenant, change locks, remove doors or windows, or interrupt utilities to force vacate without court order.
Retaliatory conduct prohibited: landlord may not retaliate against tenant for reporting housing code violations or organizing with other tenants.
Legal Aid Resources
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