Rent increases can put a lot of stress on renters and make them worry about their money. There are no statewide rent control rules in South Carolina, so renters need to know what their rights are when their rent goes up.
This piece talks about South Carolina’s 2024 rent increase laws and gives tenants advice on how to handle the situation.
No state-wide limits on rent increases
They can raise rent as much as they want in South Carolina, but not as much as they can in some other places.
That is, owners can raise rents by any amount they think is fair. This can make things hard for renters, but it’s important to know the laws that are still in place.
How to Give Notice
Even if there are no limits on the rise, landlords in South Carolina have to give tenants enough notice before they raise the rent. What kind of notice is needed depends on the type of lease:
If you have a month-to-month lease, the owner must give you at least seven (7) days’ written notice before the new rent amount starts to apply.
Fixed-Term Leases: When there is a fixed-term lease, like a one-year lease, the rules of the lease usually say when and how the rent can go up. Unless the lease specifically allows for rent increases in the middle of the lease term, the owner usually has to wait until the lease ends before making any changes to the rent.
There must be certain details in a valid notice of rent increase, such as the date the raise starts and the difference between the old and new rent amounts.
Against Rent Increases That Are Too High
While there is no law that says rent can’t go up, tenants may be able to do something if they think a rent rise is way too high. Landlords in South Carolina are required by law to charge rents that are equal to the rental unit’s “fair market value.”
How nice the unit is, where it is, what amenities it has, and how much similar units rent for in the area are some of the things that decide its fair market value.
These steps might help if you have to deal with a big rent hike:
Talk to your landlord: Try to talk to your landlord directly. Talk about your worries about the price hike and look into the chance of a smaller or more gradual change.
Find Out About Comparable Rents: Find out about similar rental units in your area to see if the suggested rent increase is too high compared to the market rate.
Seek legal help: You might want to talk to a lawyer or a legal help group that specializes in landlord-tenant law. They can look at your case and tell you about any possible legal choices you have.
How to Keep Yourself Safe as a Renter
If you are a roommate, these steps can help you:
Written Lease Agreement: Always insist on a written lease agreement that spells out the details of your rental agreement, such as the amount of rent, when payments are due, and how to give notice of changes.
Documentation: Keep detailed records of all messages you send and receive with your owner, such as emails, text messages, and notices of rent increases.
Know what your rights are: Learn about the landlord-tenant rules in South Carolina. Legal aid groups and government bodies have websites where you can find accurate information.
Help and resources in the area
In South Carolina, there are several groups that can help renters who are having trouble with their homes, like:
South Carolina Legal Services helps low-income people with a wide range of legal issues, such as landlord-tenant disputes. [Include their website or a way to reach them]
The South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center is a non-profit that fights social and economic injustice through systemic advocacy and legal help. They have tools and data that can help you with your renter rights. [Include their website or a way to reach them]
Authorities in Charge of Housing: A lot of South Carolina’s towns and counties have housing authorities that can help tenants, act as mediators, or give you information on fair housing laws.
In conclusion
It might be hard for renters in South Carolina to deal with rising costs since there are no rules that control them.
Still, you can better protect your rights, get the right paperwork, and ask for help when you need it. This way, you can make sure your owner treats you pretty.
