Are there any laws governing the use of tenant background checks?

In the state of South Carolina, the landlord-tenant laws governing the use of tenant background checks are outlined in the South Carolina Landlord-Tenant Act. This Act states that a landlord may not refuse to rent based solely on the results of a tenant background check. The landlord has to provide written notice of the reasons why a tenant was denied or face a penalty. The Act further outlines that the landlord must provide a copy of the tenant background check to the tenant upon request. The landlord is also required to inform the tenant of any errors on the background check and provide them the opportunity to dispute any inaccuracies. This information must be provided within 30 days of the background check being conducted. If the landlord fails to do so, the tenant may be able to sue the landlord for damages. The Act also outlines that a landlord may not charge a tenant for the cost of the background check. If the tenant pays for the background check, they must be reimbursed if they are denied tenancy. Overall, the Act helps ensure that landlords are not using tenant background checks as a way to discriminate against tenants, and that tenants are aware of their rights when it comes to the landlord’s use of background checks. Additionally, it helps to ensure that landlords are not overcharging tenants or incorrectly assessing them based on the results of a background check.

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Are there any laws governing the use of tenant background checks?

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