What are a tenant's rights regarding late payments?
In South Carolina, tenants have the right to be informed of the consequences of late payment prior to moving in. Late rent payments must also be addressed in the lease agreement before moving in. According to South Carolina’s landlord tenant act, landlords must provide tenants with at least 10 days notice before beginning legal proceedings for late payments. This notice should include a warning that the tenant will be potentially liable for late fees and court costs if the landlord files suit against the tenant for nonpayment. If the tenant does not pay rent on time, the landlord is then allowed to take action. They can send a letter to the tenant informing them of the late payment, and the tenant has five days to pay the rent in order to avoid eviction. If the tenant still fails to pay, the landlord may start the eviction process. If the tenant does pay the rent late, the landlord must abide by the lease agreement regarding late fees. If the agreement states that the tenant must pay a late fee, the tenant is responsible for it. However, the landlord cannot charge an excessive fee and cannot raise the rent in retaliation for late payments. In summary, tenants in South Carolina have the right to understand the consequences of late rent payments before signing a lease, and they must be given 10 days notice before any legal proceedings are initiated. If the tenant does not pay the rent on time, the landlord can start the eviction process. If the tenant does pay the rent late, the landlord must follow the fee payments stated in the agreement.
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