South Carolina landlord entry notice: 24 hours, with exceptions for services

What is the South Carolina entry notice rule?

Section 27-40-530(c) of the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act sets two requirements for a normal visit: at least 24 hours' notice, and entry at reasonable times. The state does not define reasonable by a clock for ordinary visits, so choose daytime hours and be consistent.

Example a made-up landlord wants to inspect a smoke detector. The landlord posts a note on Monday at 2 p.m. saying a visit will happen Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday at 2 p.m. is exactly 24 hours later, so the visit can begin then or after, at a reasonable hour. A visit at noon on Tuesday would be too soon.

When can I enter without 24 hours' notice?

DoorKeeping's South Carolina rules file records the exceptions in subsection (b):

• An emergency.
• Scheduled services the lease sets out, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., with an announcement.
• Services the tenant asked for, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., with an announcement.

The announcement matters. Even where the 24 hours does not apply, tell the tenant who is coming and roughly when. Put any scheduled service, such as lawn care or pest control, in the lease so it falls under the exception.

How do I run entry day to day?

1. Decide whether the visit is a normal one, a scheduled service or something the tenant asked for.
2. For a normal visit, send the notice at least 24 hours ahead and say why.
3. Keep a copy with the send time.
4. Knock, announce yourself and enter only for the stated purpose.
5. Write a short note of what was done.

For the general pattern across states, read how much notice before a landlord enters.

What other South Carolina notice periods are recorded?

DoorKeeping's South Carolina file records 30 days' notice to end a month-to-month tenancy for the landlord and the tenant (27-40-770(b)) and a 5-day notice for unpaid rent (27-40-710(B)). It found no late fee cap or minimum grace period, and the file marks that as no rule found. Deposit rules are in South Carolina security deposit laws.

What should my South Carolina lease say about entry?

The exceptions only help if the lease sets them up, so write them in. A lease clause worth having covers four things.

• The 24-hour notice you will give for ordinary visits, and how notice is sent.
• Any scheduled service, such as lawn care, pest control or a regular filter change, with the days and the hours, so it falls under the scheduled-service exception.
• That you will announce a visit the tenant asked for, with the hours it can happen.
• What counts as an emergency, such as a leak, a fire or a gas smell, and that you will tell the tenant afterward.

A tenant who understands the schedule from day one is less likely to dispute a visit later, and you have a signed lease to point to if they do.

How DoorKeeping handles it

DoorKeeping keeps messages to tenants in their message history, and sends vendors a job link for the visit. Any legal step waits for your one-tap approval. DoorKeeping gives general information, not legal advice. Laws change and cities can add rules, so check the current law for your state and your property before you act, and talk to a local attorney if a case is contested.

Sources

1. South Carolina Code 27-40-530, access to dwelling unit, read Oct 30, 2026
2. South Carolina Code 27-40-710 and 27-40-770, noncompliance with rental agreement and holdover, read Oct 30, 2026

Questions

How much notice must a South Carolina landlord give to enter?

At least 24 hours, at reasonable times (S.C. Code Ann. 27-40-530(c)).

Can a landlord enter in an emergency without notice?

Yes. An emergency is one of the recorded exceptions.

Do scheduled services need 24 hours' notice?

Not if the lease sets them out, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., with an announcement.

What about a service the tenant asked for?

It can happen between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. with an announcement.