When The Landlord Can Come In
S.C. Code 27-40-530 — twenty-four hours' notice, at reasonable times, with the exceptions it lists
Twenty-four hours. Apart from the exceptions, the landlord gives the tenant at least twenty-four hours notice of intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times. A landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant.
- At any time in an emergency, which may include weather conditions likely to endanger the property.
- Between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. for regularly scheduled periodic services such as filters or pest treatment, where the agreement conspicuously provides for it and the landlord announces the entry first.
- Between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. for services the tenant requested, announcing the entry first.
Those are the times a landlord may enter without the tenant's consent. A tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent to entry to inspect, make repairs, supply services or show the unit. Otherwise a landlord has access only under a court order, for the absence and health and safety sections, with an officer to serve ejectment papers, or after the tenant abandons or surrenders the unit.
A tenant may not change the locks without the landlord's permission. The remedies for abuse of access have a section of their own. Whether a particular entry was lawful is a question for a licensed South Carolina attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- S.C. Code 27-40-530 — Access
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Carolina attorney.