South Carolina H 3346: South Carolina Rent Control Act

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 3346 Text of Previous Version (Dec. 06, 2024) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 3346

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE 
"SOUTH CAROLINA RENT CONTROL ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 27-39-370 SO AS TO PROVIDE 
RESTRICTIONS ON RAISING RESIDENTIAL RENT.

Be it enacted by the 
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the "South Carolina Rent Control Act."

SECTION 2. Article 3, Chapter 39, Title 27 of the S.C. Code is 
amended by adding:

 Section 
27-39-370. (A) If a tenancy is week 
to week, the landlord may not increase the rent without giving the tenant 
written notice at least seven days prior to the effective date of the rent 
increase.

 (B) 
During any tenancy other than week to week, the landlord may not increase the 
rent:

 (1) 
during the first year after the tenancy begins;

 (2) 
at any time after the first year of tenancy without giving the tenant written 
notice at least ninety days prior to the effective date of the rent increase; 
or

 (3) 
during any twelve-month period, in an amount greater than seven percent plus 
the consumer price index above the existing rent except as permitted by 
subsection (E).

 (C) 
The notice required under this section must specify:

 (1) 
the amount of the rent increase;

 (2) 
the amount of the new rent;

 (3) 
facts supporting the exemption authorized by subsection (E) if the increase is 
above the amount allowed in subsection (B)(3);

 (4) 
the effective date of the increased rent.

 (D) A 
landlord terminating a tenancy with a thirty-day notice during the first year 
of a tenancy may not reset rent for the next tenancy in an amount greater than 
seven percent plus the consumer price index above the previous rent.

 (E) A 
landlord is not subject to subsection (B)(3) or (D) of this section if:

 (1) 
the first certificate of occupancy for the dwelling unit was issued less than 
fifteen years from the date of the notice of the rent increase; or

 (2) 
the landlord is providing reduced rent to the tenant as a part of a federal, 
state, or local program or subsidy.

 (F) A 
landlord that increases rent in violation of subsection (B)(3) or (D) is liable 
to the tenant in an amount equal to three months' rent plus actual damages 
suffered by the tenant.

 (G) 
For purposes of this section, "consumer price index" means the annual twelve-month 
average change in the Consumer Price Index, Southeast Region, as published by 
the United States Department of Labor in September of the prior calendar year.

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval 
by the Governor.

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This web page was last updated on December 06, 2024 at 11:39 AM