S.C. Code Ann. § 27-50-100
Landlord-tenant relationship
Operative Text
This article does not affect the landlord-tenant relationship between the parties to a lease with an option-to-purchase contract during the term of the lease, and the rights of the landlords and tenants pursuant to the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act remain in effect until transfer of ownership of the property to the purchaser.
Section 27-50-100 clarifies that when a lease includes an option to purchase, the standard landlord-tenant relationship does not disappear simply because that option exists. All rights and obligations that normally govern residential rentals under the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act continue to apply throughout the lease period. Those protections and duties only give way once ownership of the property is actually transferred to the buyer.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 27-50-100, operators who enter into a lease-with-option-to-purchase arrangement remain bound by the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act for the entire duration of the lease term. Compliant operators continue to fulfill standard landlord obligations—such as maintaining habitable conditions and following proper notice procedures—right up until the deed changes hands. Treating the option agreement as a substitute for those ongoing duties is inconsistent with what this provision requires.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
S.C. Code Ann. § 27-50-100 makes clear that signing a lease with an option to purchase does not strip away the protections tenants hold under the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Those rights remain fully intact throughout the lease term, meaning tenants can generally raise violations of the Landlord and Tenant Act as they would in any standard rental situation. Tenants who believe their rights under this provision are being disregarded may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization or consulting a licensed attorney familiar with South Carolina residential tenancy law.
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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