South Carolina Landlord Responsibility Statement

Effective Date: November 1, 2025
Jurisdiction: State of South Carolina
Applies To: All landlords, property managers, agents and listing entities using Tentunit to list residential rental properties (including student housing, young-professional and conventional rentals) in South Carolina.

1. Purpose

This Statement establishes the operational, legal and ethical obligations that landlords must meet when listing properties via Tentunit in South Carolina. Use of the Tentunit platform constitutes the landlord’s acceptance of this Statement, the Tentunit Terms of Service and Payment Terms, the Fair Housing & Equal Access Policy, and all applicable federal, state and local laws. This document is not legal advice; landlords should consult qualified counsel for full compliance.

2. Listing Accuracy, Transparency & Advertising Standards

Landlords must ensure that all listings on Tentunit are truthful, current, and accurately reflect the property and the terms being offered.

Required Disclosures:

Clearly state monthly rent, lease term (fixed/periodic or renewal/notice), and earliest availability date.
Disclose all one-time and recurring fees: application/screening fees, move-in/administrative fees, pet deposits/fees, parking/amenity fees, utility re-billing/allocation charges.
Disclose security deposit or equivalent fee, the conditions under which it may be withheld, and timeframe/return process. (§ 27-40-410)
Explain utility responsibilities: which utilities tenant pays, which landlord covers; if sub-metering or allocation method used, explain clearly.
Use photographs and descriptions that accurately reflect the actual unit offered — no model-only images unless clearly disclosed.
Publish screening criteria up front (income, credit/rental history, guarantor policy, student eligibility/roommate rules) so tenants know expectations.
Ensure unit is genuinely available. If the status changes (leased, held, unavailable) the listing must be promptly updated or removed.

Prohibited Practices:

Listing units that are not genuinely available without timely update.
Misrepresenting material facts — number of bedrooms/baths, square footage, condition, amenities, views.
Using “starting at” or “from” pricing without fully disclosing unit eligibility, availability, timing.
Omitting material fees or hidden charges so a reasonable renter is misled.
“Bait-and-switch”: advertising one unit/terms and offering materially different one without disclosure.

Relevant Law & Context:
The South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Chapter 27, Title 27, Article 40) governs landlord-tenant relationships in residential rentals. Advertising and listing practices must align with federal truth-in-advertising, consumer protection and fair housing laws.

3. Fair Housing & Equal Access

Landlords must comply with:

The federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.).
South Carolina state and applicable local non-discrimination statutes.
Landlords must:
Apply screening criteria neutrally and consistently to all applicants, regardless of protected classes (race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status) or local analogs.
Provide reasonable accommodations and/or modifications for persons with disabilities when required by law.
Avoid discriminatory or exclusionary language in advertising, communications, screening or decisions.
Maintain documentation of screening criteria, decisions, and accommodation/modification requests and outcomes.

4. Communication Standards & Platform Responsiveness

To support Tentunit’s student/young-professional rental focus and maintain platform integrity, landlords must commit to timely, documented communication:

Acknowledge listing inquiries, application submissions, maintenance/repair requests via Tentunit (or another documented channel) within 24 hours, and provide a substantive follow-up within 48 hours.
Keep applicants informed of their status (approved, denied, wait-list) and keep tenants informed of scheduled entries/inspections, maintenance, or changes in lease/house-rules.
Update listing data promptly if rent, fees, availability, utilities or amenity info changes.
Communicate professionally, respectfully and non-discriminatorily. Repeated failures, abusive or discriminatory conduct may result in account suspension or listing removal by Tentunit.

5. Lease Execution, Legal Compliance & Contract Terms

Leases executed via Tentunit (or for units listed on Tentunit) in South Carolina must comply with state law and reflect best-practice standards.

Required Lease Elements & Obligations:

While South Carolina law applies to both written and oral agreements, for clarity and enforceability a written lease is strongly recommended.
Include full legal names and addresses of landlord/agent for notices & service of process (§ 27-40-420)
Lease must clearly define: rent amount & due date; lease term (fixed or periodic); renewal/termination mechanics; security deposit amount & handling; all recurring/one-time fees; utility obligations; screening criteria; if student/young-professional housing: rules for roommates, sub-letting, early termination.
Include required disclosures: e.g., Lead-Based Paint for units built before 1978; any state/local required disclosures.
Lease must not include provisions waiving tenant statutory rights or allowing unlawful “self-help” eviction methods (lock-outs, utility shut-off). § 27-40-660 prohibits landlord self-help eviction.
Termination/notice provisions must align with state law, e.g., for month-to-month tenancy 30 days’ written notice (§ 27-40-770)

6. Habitability, Maintenance & Repair Obligations

Landlords must ensure that leased premises are safe, habitable, clean and maintained in compliance with South Carolina law and best practice.
Key obligations include:

Maintain structural integrity: roof, walls, floors, windows/doors, stairways/porches, handrails in safe, usable condition (§ 27-40-440)
Provide and maintain functioning utilities and systems if included in lease or required by code: plumbing, electrical, sanitation, locks/egress, heating/hot water.
Respond within a reasonable timeframe to conditions materially affecting health or safety. If landlord fails, tenant has remedy under § 27-40-630/610.
Maintain clear documentation: tenant repair request date/time, vendor/work-order, completion date/time, tenant notification, photos before/after.
Landlord must not retaliate against tenant for exercising rights (repair requests, deposit claims, complaints) — § 27-40-910 prohibits retaliatory conduct.

7. Entry, Inspections & Tenant Privacy

Landlords must respect the tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment of the leased premises and ensure access is lawful, documented and reasonable.

Under § 27-40-530, landlord may enter with reasonable notice for certain purposes.
Best practice: Provide at least 24 hours’ written notice for non-emergency entry and enter only during reasonable hours (e.g., 8 a.m.–8 p.m.).
Entry permitted for legitimate purposes: repairs, inspections, showing unit to prospective tenants/purchasers, agreed improvements, or as provided in lease.
Landlord should document: notice provided (date/time), actual entry date/time, purpose, persons present, condition observed, and photographic evidence where helpful.
At move-out, offering a walkthrough inspection with tenant (if possible) and using a condition checklist with timestamped photographs is strongly recommended to support deposit reconciliation/disputes.

8. Security Deposit Handling & Administration

South Carolina law under § 27-40-410 (and associated sections) governs security deposits and prepaid rent.

Key Rules:

Maximum amount: There is no state statutory maximum for security deposit amounts. Landlords may charge any amount, provided it is reasonable and disclosed.
Return timeframe & itemisation: Within 30 days of termination of tenancy, delivery of possession and demand by tenant, the landlord must return the deposit less lawful deductions, along with a written itemised statement of deductions. (§ 27-40-410(a))
Penalties for non-compliance: If the landlord fails to comply, the tenant may recover three times the amount wrongfully withheld and attorney’s fees. (§ 27-40-410(b))
Uniformity disclosure: If the landlord rents more than four adjoining dwelling units and charges different deposit standards, they must either post a conspicuous statement or provide each prospective tenant a statement setting forth how deposit standards are calculated. (§ 27-40-410(c))

Tentunit Requirements for Landlords in South Carolina:

Use a move-in condition checklist, signed by landlord/agent and tenant and ideally accompanied by date-stamped photographs at start of tenancy.
Disclose in listing & lease: security deposit amount, conditions for deductions, timeframe for return, tenant forwarding address requirement.
Maintain full ledger/documentation: deposit collected date/amount, forwarding address provided by tenant, itemised deduction list (if any), refund date and method of delivery.
Ensure deposit is either refunded or itemised list plus remainder sent within 30 days after termination/possession/demand.
Avoid mis-labeling any portion of deposit as “non-refundable” unless lawful and clearly disclosed; make listing and lease transparent.
If property ownership or management changes mid-tenancy, ensure deposit transfer or proper notification to tenant (see SC Appleseed resource)

9. Student-Housing & Young-Professional Specific Standards

Because Tentunit focuses on student and young-professional housing, landlords must adopt elevated standards:

In listings clearly disclose: proximity to campus/university, parking/public transport policy/costs, sub-letting or early‐termination/release policy, roommate/shared-housing rules if applicable, lease renewal/non-renewal process.
Provide onboarding materials tailored to younger renters: move-in orientation, roommate/house-share rules (if applicable), utility setup instructions, emergency contact information.
Avoid practices that could be viewed as predatory toward students/young professionals (excessive non-refundable fees, ambiguous early-termination clauses, forced guarantor/co-signer without alternatives).
Maintain accessible communication channels (mobile/app friendly, quick responses) and clearly defined roommate/house-rule expectations.
House-rules (shared-spaces cleaning, guest/noise policy, roommate obligations) must align with statutory tenant protections, must be clearly disclosed in listing & lease, and enforced fairly and consistently.

10. Documentation, Audit, Compliance & Platform Enforcement

Landlords must operate at an institutional-level compliance standard and maintain full documentation; Tentunit retains strong enforcement rights.

Record-Keeping Requirements:
Landlords must maintain, for each unit/tenancy:

Listing metadata: date/time listing uploaded, photo version history, fee schedule changes, availability updates.
Screening/application logs: inquiry date/time, screening criteria applied, applications received, approvals/denials, communications archived.
Executed lease file: signed lease (digital or paper), amendments/renewals, disclosures, guarantor/co-signer documentation if applicable.
Maintenance/repair logs: tenant request date/time, vendor/work-order number, completion date/time, tenant notifications, before/after photos.
Entry/inspection logs: notice sent date/time, actual entry date/time, purpose of entry, persons present, condition observed, photos.
Security deposit records: deposit collected date/amount; forwarding address documentation; itemised deduction statements (if any); refund date and method of delivery.
Communication logs: tenant-landlord/Tentunit portal messages: listing inquiries, application status updates, maintenance scheduling, entries/inspection notices, lease renewal/termination communications.

Tentunit Enforcement Rights:
Tentunit may:

Audit landlord compliance (listing practices, lease documentation, maintenance/entry logs, deposit handling) at any time without prior notice.
Suspend or remove listings for material or repeated non-compliance with this Statement, Tentunit policies or South Carolina/federal law.
Freeze or withhold landlord payouts tied to units flagged for unresolved compliance issues (e.g., deposit disputes, habitability complaints).
Terminate landlord’s platform account permanently for serious or repeated violations.
Report non-compliance or unlawful conduct to relevant regulatory or enforcement agencies (e.g., South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, local housing authorities) when applicable.
Seek recovery of damages, attorneys’ fees and enforcement costs incurred by Tentunit as a result of landlord’s non-compliance.

11. Indemnification

Landlord shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Tentunit, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents and contractors from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to:

Landlord’s breach of this Statement or any Tentunit policy;
Landlord’s violation of any federal, state or local housing/tenant-landlord laws/regulations;
Landlord’s mis-representation of listing, unit condition, availability, terms or fees;
Tenant claims or disputes arising from landlord’s acts or omissions;
Platform investigations or regulatory enforcement triggered by landlord non-compliance.

12. Governing Law & Reference Statutes

South Carolina Statutes & Reference Materials:

S.C. Code § 27-40-410 – Security deposit: deductions, item-isation, return timeframe, penalties. Justia Law+1
S.C. Code § 27-40-530 – Landlord or agent access to dwelling unit. Nolo+1
Residential Landlord & Tenant Act (Title 27, Chapter 40) – general landlord-tenant rights/obligations. South Carolina Legislature+1
Practical guides: South Carolina Appleseed “Landlord and Tenant Law in SC” brochure. SC Appleseed

Federal Law Foundations:

Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.).
Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (for housing built before 1978).
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) for eligible tenants.