How much notice is required?

S.C. Code § 27-40-770(b) requires at least 30 days' written notice for a month-to-month tenancy; § 27-40-770(a) requires at least 7 days for a week-to-week tenancy. The period runs from the date of delivery to the termination date — not from the date the notice was prepared. Length of occupancy does not change the period.

What happens if my fixed-term lease expires?

A fixed-term lease typically expires by its own terms. If the lease itself requires advance notice of non-renewal, failing to give that notice may convert the tenancy to month-to-month on the same terms. Check the lease before assuming the fixed term simply expires.

Can a tenant waive the notice period in advance?

No — a lease provision purporting to authorize less than the statutory notice period is void. The tenant can consent to a shorter period at the time the notice is issued, but cannot prospectively waive the § 27-40-770 minimum through a lease.

What if my notice is defective?

A defective notice (wrong period, improper service, missing required information) generally cannot support an eviction action. The tenant can raise the defect as an affirmative defense in eviction proceedings. The landlord must serve a corrected notice and start the period over, with the tenant typically remaining in possession during the redo.

Do I need to give a reason for non-renewing the tenancy?

Generally no, for South Carolina tenancies that are not covered by a local just-cause ordinance. The 30/60-day notice period under S.C. Code § 27-40-770 is sufficient and no reason is required. However, anti-retaliation and fair-housing rules still apply — the notice cannot be retaliatory or discriminatory even when no specific reason is required.

What if the tenant has been a long-term resident?

Long-term tenants typically receive the longest notice period under the statute (where tiered). In South Carolina, the notice period is consistent regardless of tenancy length.

What if my lease specifies a different notice period?

A lease that requires more notice than the statute (for example, 90 days where the statute requires 30) is enforceable — the landlord must give the longer period. A lease that requires less notice than the statute is void as to that provision; the statutory minimum still applies.

Can I issue a non-renewal in retaliation for a tenant complaint?

No. S.C. Code § 27-40-910 prohibits non-renewal in retaliation for tenant exercise of protected rights. Issuing a non-renewal that the court finds was retaliatory exposes the landlord to damages, attorney's fees, and potential statutory penalties.

Does a non-renewal need to be in writing?

Yes. S.C. Code § 27-40-770 requires written notice of termination. Oral notice — even if clearly given and acknowledged by the tenant — does not satisfy the statute and cannot support an eviction action.

🏠 South Carolina Operations Forms: Notice of Non-Renewal All South Carolina Landlord Forms Notice to Enter Tenant Notice to Vacate All South Carolina Forms

Free South Carolina Notice of Non-Renewal

The written notice South Carolina landlords use to end a periodic tenancy or decline to renew a fixed-term lease. S.C. Code § 27-40-770 sets the notice period: 30 days for a month-to-month tenancy under subsection (b), 7 days for week-to-week under subsection (a). Built for South Carolina landlords.

South Carolina Non-Renewal Notice § 27-40-770 30-Day Notice Free PDF 2026 Edition

▶ Watch overview

Free South Carolina Notice of Non-Renewal — overview

📅WRITTEN NOTICE REQUIRED: S.C. Code § 27-40-770 requires written notice to terminate a periodic tenancy in South Carolina. 30 days written notice. The notice must specify the termination date and be properly served.

⚠SERVICE METHODS: S.C. Code § 27-40-240(B)(3) authorizes delivery in hand to the tenant, or registered or certified mail to the address the tenant holds out for receipt of communications (or the last known place of residence). Proof of mailing is notice without proof of receipt. Mailing alone is generally not sufficient. Email and text alone are not authorized for termination notices.

📜STATUTORY AUTHORITY: S.C. Code § 27-40-770 (termination notice periods: 30 days month-to-month, 7 days week-to-week). S.C. Code § 27-40-240 (how notice is given and received). S.C. Code § 27-40-910 (anti-retaliation, where applicable). Federal Fair Housing Act and South Carolina fair housing law.

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Notice of Non-Renewal is one of the highest-stakes routine documents in South Carolina landlord-tenant practice. A defective notice — wrong period, improper service, missing required information — cannot support an eviction action, forcing the landlord to start over and pushing recovery of possession back by months. South Carolina non-renewal practice has technical requirements: the notice period turns on the type of periodic tenancy, not on length of occupancy; the clock starts at delivery; service must follow S.C. Code § 27-40-240; the notice must be in writing with all required elements. The form on this page handles the mechanics correctly; the page itself walks through the analysis step by step.

SC Notice Period

30 days

Authority

§ 27-40-770

Allowed Hours

Business hours

Emergency

No notice required

By Tenant Screening Background Check Editorial Team

Form TypeRoutine Operations

StateSouth Carolina

Authority§ 27-40-770

Updated2026

On this page

What a Notice of Non-Renewal does
South Carolina legal framework
Notice period under § 27-40-770
Authorized delivery methods
Required information for the notice
Common mistakes that void the notice
Tenant remedies for defective notice
South Carolina statute reference table
Frequently asked questions

A South Carolina Notice of Non-Renewal is the written notice a landlord uses to end a periodic tenancy or to communicate that a fixed-term lease will not be renewed at expiration. S.C. Code § 27-40-770 sets the notice-period requirements: 30 days’ written notice for a month-to-month tenancy under subsection (b), and 7 days for a week-to-week tenancy under subsection (a). Service must follow S.C. Code § 27-40-240. Getting the notice right is high-stakes work: a defective notice cannot support an eviction action, and the landlord must start over with a corrected notice — pushing recovery of possession back by months. The form on this page handles the mechanics; the rest of this guide walks through the requirements.

Watch: South Carolina Notice of Non-Renewal explained

▶ Watch: South Carolina Notice of Non-Renewal — § 27-40-770 explained

§ 27-40-770

South Carolina termination-notice statute

24 hrs

presumed reasonable notice period

2 min

to fill out and download the PDF

📅 Notice Period Calculator

Enter the date you’ll deliver the notice. The calculator shows the earliest valid termination date under S.C. Code § 27-40-770.

Notice Delivery Date

Earliest valid termination date

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✎ Complete Your South Carolina Notice of Non-Renewal

§ 27-40-770 requires 30 days’ written notice for a month-to-month tenancy, and 7 days for week-to-week. The clock starts at delivery, not at preparation. Pick a termination date that’s at least the required period after the planned delivery date. The termination date should align with the end of a rental period for periodic tenancies.

1 · Notice Dates

Notice Delivery Date

Termination Date (tenancy ends)

2 · Tenant & Property

Tenant Name(s)

Rental Property Address

3 · Landlord Contact

Landlord or Property Manager Name

Landlord Address

Landlord Phone

Landlord Email (optional)