South Carolina landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits may owe up to 3× the deposit amount. Learn your rights under S.C. Code Ann. §27-40-710.
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Check My DepositIf your South Carolina landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you may be entitled to recover up to 3 times the amount wrongfully kept under S.C. Code Ann. §27-40-710(d). This is on top of recovering the deposit itself. The multiplier is the penalty for the violation. Three times the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees.
No intent required. Miss the 30-day deadline and the 3x cap can apply under S.C. Code Ann. §27-40-710(d). Your landlord cannot avoid it by claiming forgetfulness or confusion.
Penalty
If your South Carolina landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you may be entitled to recover up to 3 times the amount wrongfully kept under S.C. Code Ann. §27-40-710(d). This is on top of recovering the deposit itself. The multiplier is the penalty for the violation. Three times the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees.
No intent required. Miss the 30-day deadline and the 3x cap can apply under S.C. Code Ann. §27-40-710(d). Your landlord cannot avoid it by claiming forgetfulness or confusion.
Example
S.C. Code Ann. §27-40-710(d)
To recover penalties under S.C. Code Ann. §27-40-710(d), you generally need to: document the move-out date and the missed deadline, send a written demand letter citing the statute, and, if necessary, file in South Carolina small claims court (up to $7,500).
A demand letter that specifically cites S.C. Code Ann. §27-40-710(d) and calculates the potential Up to 3x your deposit often prompts landlords to settle without going to court.
Questions
Your South Carolina landlord has 30 days after your move-out date to return your security deposit along with an itemized statement of any deductions. This deadline is set by S.C. Code Ann. §27-40-710.
If your landlord misses the 30-day deadline, you may be entitled to up to 3× the amount wrongfully withheld under S.C. Code Ann. §27-40-710(d). This penalty applies automatically. You don't need to prove intent.
No. South Carolina law under S.C. Code Ann. §27-40-710 explicitly prohibits landlords from deducting for normal wear and tear. This includes faded paint, minor scuffs, small nail holes, and carpet thinning from regular use. Deductions must be for actual damage beyond what normal living causes.
Under S.C. Code Ann. §27-40-710(d), you may recover up to 3x the deposit amount wrongfully withheld. This is automatic. No need to prove intent.
No. The penalty under S.C. Code Ann. §27-40-710(d) applies automatically when the 30-day deadline is missed. Intent is not required.
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