S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-530
Access
Operative Text
(a) A tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workmen, or contractors. (b) A landlord or his agent may enter the dwelling unit without consent of the tenant: (1) At any time in case of emergency—prospective changes in weather conditions which pose a likelihood of danger to the property may be considered an emergency; (2) Between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of providing regularly scheduled periodic services such as changing furnace and air-conditioning filters, providing termite, insect, or pest treatment, and the like, provided that the right to enter to provide regularly scheduled periodic services is conspicuously set forth in writing in the rental agreement and that prior to entering, the landlord announces his intent to enter to perform services; or (3) Between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. for the purpose of providing services requested by the tenant and that prior to entering, the landlord announces his intent to enter to perform services. (c) A landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Except in cases under item (b) above, the landlord shall give the tenant at least twenty-four hours notice of his intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times. (d) A landlord has no other right of access except: (1) pursuant to court order; (2) as permitted by SECTIONS 27-40-720 and 27-40-730; (3) when accompanied by a law enforcement officer at reasonable times for the purpose of service of process in ejectment proceedings; or (4) unless the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises. (e) A tenant shall not change locks on the dwelling unit without the permission of the landlord.
Section 27-40-530 of the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act establishes a mutual framework governing when and how a landlord may enter a rented dwelling unit. As a general rule, the landlord must give at least 24 hours' advance notice and enter only at reasonable times, unless one of the specific exceptions applies — such as emergencies, pre-disclosed scheduled services, or tenant-requested repairs. The provision also bars tenants from unreasonably refusing entry for legitimate purposes and from changing locks without landlord permission, while prohibiting landlords from using access rights as a tool of harassment.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 27-40-530, compliant landlords document their right to enter for regularly scheduled services conspicuously in the written rental agreement and announce their intent before entering. Outside of emergencies or tenant-requested services, operators provide at least 24 hours' written or verbal notice and schedule entry between reasonable hours. Landlords who enter only for legitimate purposes — inspections, repairs, showing the unit to prospective tenants or buyers — and who avoid patterns of repeated or unnecessary entry are generally operating within the boundaries this section sets.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 27-40-530 gives tenants the right to expect advance notice — at least 24 hours in most circumstances — before a landlord enters the dwelling unit, and entry is limited to reasonable times and legitimate purposes. If a landlord enters repeatedly without proper notice or in a manner that feels harassing, that conduct may constitute a violation of this section, which tenants can raise as a defense in court proceedings or bring to the attention of a local tenant-rights organization. Tenants should also be aware that § 27-40-530(e) prohibits changing the locks without landlord permission, as doing so could have legal consequences under the same chapter.
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 19, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation