Typical residential security deposit amount a landlord holds and later accounts for on a return statement in South Carolina (2026)
A typical South Carolina range, the local factors behind it, and the tools to price your own project.
Reviewed for 2026, updated September 8, 2026.
What drives the cost in South Carolina
South Carolina deposits sit near the national typical range in Charleston, Greenville, and the Columbia area and below it in rural counties. State law sets no cap, is commonly cited as allowing 30 days for return with an itemized statement, requires landlords with several units who use different deposit standards to disclose them, and allows treble damages for bad faith, so confirm the current terms. Hurricanes, coastal humidity, and heat make water and mold issues routine, and storm damage belongs with the insurer.
Tips for South Carolina buyers
- If you own multiple units with different deposit amounts, post or disclose the standards as the statute expects.
- Keep coastal storm repairs off the statement and on the insurance file.
- Charleston and Myrtle Beach seasonal leases end in fall; book inspections before the shoulder season.
Ranges are hedged planning estimates derived from a national typical range and a local index, not quotes. A typical single deposit on a market-rate residential rental is commonly around one month's rent, which puts most deposits somewhere in this range; actual amounts vary widely with local rents, unit size, pets, and state caps, and this is a working reference rather than a survey figure.
Price your project
- Deposit Deduction Depreciation Calculator: Estimates how much of a carpet, paint, blind, or appliance replacement a landlord can fairly deduct from a security deposit once the item's age and normal wear are taken into account.
- Security Deposit Refund Statement Calculator: Adds up the deposit held, any interest owed, and each itemized deduction to show the exact refund due to the tenant or the balance the tenant still owes.
- Late Deposit Return Penalty Exposure Calculator: Shows landlords how many days remain before a state return deadline and what missing it could cost when a statute allows forfeited deductions or multiplied damages.