S.C. Code Ann. § 27-35-10
Tenancies created by oral agreement
Operative Text
A tenancy for not to exceed one year may be created by oral agreement.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 27-35-10, a rental arrangement lasting no more than one year can be legally formed through a spoken agreement between the parties, without requiring a written lease. The provision establishes that such oral agreements are recognized as valid tenancies under South Carolina law. Any tenancy intended to last longer than one year, however, would generally need to meet additional legal requirements beyond a simple oral agreement.
Plain English — not legal advice.
S.C. Code Ann. § 27-35-10 means that property owners in South Carolina can enter into legally binding rental arrangements of up to one year through verbal agreements alone. Compliant operators typically keep clear records of the agreed-upon terms—such as rent amount, payment schedule, and tenancy duration—even when no written lease exists, since oral agreements can be difficult to prove if a dispute arises. Operators generally ensure that any intended tenancy exceeding one year is documented in writing to satisfy applicable legal requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
S.C. Code Ann. § 27-35-10 recognizes that a tenancy of up to one year formed by a spoken agreement is legally valid in South Carolina, meaning tenants in such arrangements have enforceable rights even without a signed lease. Because the terms of an oral agreement can be harder to verify, tenants may benefit from keeping any written records—such as text messages or emails—that reflect what was agreed upon. Tenants who believe their rights under an oral tenancy have been violated may consider consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service to understand available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 16, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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