S.C. Code Ann. § 31-21-50
Discrimination in relation to membership or participation in multiple listing service, real estate brokers' organization, or related service, organization, or facility
Operative Text
It is unlawful to deny any person access to, or membership or participation in, any multiple-listing service, real estate brokers' organization, or other service, organization, or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings or to discriminate against him in the terms or conditions of the access, membership, or participation on account of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
Section 31-21-50 of the South Carolina Code prohibits discrimination in access to real estate industry organizations and services. Specifically, the provision makes it unlawful to deny any person membership or participation in a multiple listing service, real estate brokers' organization, or similar facility on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. The rule also bars discriminatory terms or conditions applied to such access or membership on any of those same protected grounds.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who participate in multiple listing services or real estate brokers' organizations should be aware that S.C. Code Ann. § 31-21-50 extends fair housing protections into the professional infrastructure of the real estate industry. Compliant operators generally ensure that any organization or service they use or administer does not apply different membership terms or deny access based on protected characteristics. Reviewing membership policies and participation agreements for any criteria that could implicate race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin is a practice consistent with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
S.C. Code Ann. § 31-21-50 provides protections that extend beyond individual rental transactions to the broader network of real estate services and organizations. If a person believes they have been denied access to or discriminated against within a multiple listing service or real estate brokers' organization on the basis of a protected characteristic, general enforcement paths may include filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or consulting a tenant-rights or fair housing organization familiar with South Carolina law. Understanding these protections can be an important part of recognizing when discriminatory barriers may be operating at a systemic level in the housing market.
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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