What rights do tenants have to dispute rental charges or fees?
In South Carolina, tenants have the right to dispute rental charges or fees. Tenants have the right to challenge rental costs that they deem to be unfair. In order to make a dispute, tenants must file a written complaint with their landlord. The complaint should include the specific charges that the tenant is disputing and must be submitted within 30 days of the landlord’s receipt of funds. The landlord has 30 days to respond to the complaint and explain why the charges are legitimate. If the landlord does not respond in a timely manner, the tenant has the right to the full return of the disputed charges. The tenant may also file the dispute in small claims court in order to seek additional compensation if the tenant feels that their rights have been violated. The landlord cannot retaliate against a tenant for filing a dispute or engage in any behavior that is intended to interfere with the tenant’s right to live in peace. If the landlord is found to have done so, they may be held liable for damages. Tenants should be aware that filing a dispute is a serious step, and should be careful to only file a dispute when it is warranted. Tenants should also bear in mind that filing a dispute may adversely affect their credit scores. Therefore, if a tenant has a dispute with their landlord, they should seek legal advice before taking any action.
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