S.C. Code Ann. § 27-35-50
Sale of real estate under lease
Operative Text
When real estate is sold while under lease, the relationship of landlord and tenant is created ipso facto as between the purchaser and the tenant as if the purchaser had been the landlord in the first instance and the purchaser shall be entitled to all the benefits and rights under such lease as if he had been the lessor from the date of the purchase.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 27-35-50, when a landlord sells a property that is currently subject to a lease, the sale does not terminate or disrupt that lease. Instead, the buyer automatically steps into the seller's role as landlord by operation of law, and the existing tenant's lease continues on the same terms. The buyer acquires all the rights and obligations that the original landlord held under the lease from the moment the sale closes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under S.C. Code Ann. § 27-35-50 should understand that selling a leased property transfers the landlord role—along with all associated rights, such as collecting rent and enforcing lease terms—directly to the purchaser. Compliant operators typically disclose existing leases to prospective buyers and ensure that tenants are notified of the ownership change and where future rent payments should be directed. Buyers acquiring leased properties generally review all existing lease agreements before closing, since those agreements bind them immediately upon purchase.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
S.C. Code Ann. § 27-35-50 provides tenants with meaningful continuity of housing: a sale of the property does not void an existing lease, and the new owner is bound by its terms just as the original landlord was. Tenants whose property changes hands may wish to request written confirmation of the new owner's identity and updated payment instructions to ensure rent is properly credited. If a new owner attempts to alter lease terms or displace a tenant in a manner inconsistent with the existing lease, tenant-rights organizations or a housing attorney can help clarify what protections § 27-35-50 may afford.
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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