Are there any laws governing the use of locks in rental properties?
In South Carolina, yes, there are laws governing the use of locks in rental properties. The South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 27, Section 27-40-220, outlines these governing regulations. Under this section, landlords are prohibited from changing or adding locks to a rental property without notifying the tenant. The tenant must also be provided with written notice of the lock change. Alternatively, the tenant must be physically present when the locks are changed. Also, all landlords in South Carolina must provide, install, maintain, and repair locks on all exterior doors. If a tenant requests a lock change, the landlord must provide the tenant with a set of keyed-alike locks to all exterior doors at the rental property within 24 hours of the request, if the locks are not already in place. Tenants must also pay reasonable costs for lock changes or additions, like the cost of new locks, keys, or labor. In addition, new tenants are responsible for changing the locks if the old tenant’s keys have not been returned to the landlord. Furthermore, tenants must also be sure to return all keys to the landlord within 24 hours of vacating a rental property. Ultimately, South Carolina has specific laws that govern the use of locks in rental properties. It is important for landlords and tenants to be aware of these laws in order to protect the rights of all parties involved.
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