Are there any laws governing the exchange of keys between landlords and tenants?
In South Carolina, there are laws governing the exchange of keys between landlords and tenants. The South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act states that a landlord is required to provide a tenant with a key to the premises prior to occupancy and a tenant must return the key to the landlord upon termination of occupancy. In the exchange of keys between a landlord and tenant, the landlord must provide the tenant with a key within a reasonable period of time following the tenant’s request. The tenant must return the key to the landlord at the termination of their occupancy or as soon as the tenant is aware that the landlord has changed the locks. The landlord also has the right to inspect the premises and the tenant must allow the landlord to do so. Before the landlord can enter the premises, he or she must provide the tenant with written notice of the date, time, and purpose of the inspection at least 24 hours prior to the inspection. In addition, the tenant must provide the landlord a key to the premises if requested to do so. However, the tenant can request that the landlord change the locks if the tenant has a reasonable fear of imminent danger to the tenant’s property or safety. The landlord must provide the tenant with a key within a reasonable amount of time after the tenant has requested a new lock and/or key.
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