South Carolina Notice to Pay Rent or Quit (5-Day)
Create a free South Carolina notice to pay rent or quit. South Carolina requires a 5-day notice to pay rent or quit. Fill in the details, preview it live, and download a PDF or email it.
South Carolina requirement
South Carolina requires a 5-day notice to pay rent or quit. 5-day pay-or-quit. Under § 27-40-710(b), if rent is unpaid when due and the tenant fails to pay within 5 days of the due date, the landlord may terminate. The landlord must give written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate; HOWEVER, this notice obligation is satisfied for the tenancy once one such notice is given OR if the lease contains the statutory conspicuous-language clause ('If you do not pay your rent within five days of the due date, the landlord can start to have you evicted') — in which case no separate pre-filing notice is required. Counted in calendar days from the rent due date.
Tenant Name(s)
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⚠ South Carolina requires a 5-day notice for a notice to pay rent or quit; the count runs from the date of SERVICE, and some states exclude weekends/holidays — verify before relying on a date. 5-day pay-or-quit. Under § 27-40-710(b), if rent is unpaid when due and the tenant fails to pay within 5 days of the due date, the landlord may terminate. The landlord must give written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate; HOWEVER, this notice obligation is satisfied for the tenancy once one such notice is given OR if the lease contains the statutory conspicuous-language clause ('If you do not pay your rent within five days of the due date, the landlord can start to have you evicted') — in which case no separate pre-filing notice is required. Counted in calendar days from the rent due date.
Notice to Pay Rent or Quit (South Carolina)
NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT
Date of Notice: ________________
From (Landlord/Agent): [LANDLORD/AGENT NAME], [LANDLORD ADDRESS]
To: [TENANT NAME(S)], Tenant(s) in possession of: [PROPERTY ADDRESS]
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that rent is now due and unpaid in the amount of $________. This amount is for unpaid RENT only and excludes late fees, utilities, and other charges unless your state and lease allow them.
You are required to PAY the full amount of rent due within 5 days after this notice is served on you, OR to vacate and surrender possession of the property. Payment must be made to [LANDLORD/AGENT NAME] at [LANDLORD ADDRESS], by cash, check, or money order. If you mail payment, it must be RECEIVED by the deadline.
If you do not comply with this notice within the time stated, the landlord may begin legal proceedings to recover possession of the property under S.C. Code Ann. §§ 27-40-710, 27-40-770 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act).
Only a court can order you to move out. The landlord may NOT lock you out, remove your belongings, or shut off your utilities; doing so is illegal.
This notice is given without waiving, and the landlord expressly reserves, all other rights and remedies, including the right to recover unpaid rent and damages.
How this notice may be served: Per S.C. Code § 27-40-240, written notice is properly served by delivering it in hand to the tenant or by mailing it by registered or certified mail to the tenant at the place held out as the place for receipt of communications (or, if none, the tenant's last known address / the dwelling unit). Proof of mailing is proof of notice without proof of receipt. For nonpayment, the 5-day notice may also be satisfied by conspicuous statutory language in the written lease (no separate notice then required to file ejectment).
_______________________________________
[LANDLORD/AGENT NAME] — Landlord / Authorized Agent
[LANDLORD ADDRESS]
Date: ________________
PROOF OF SERVICE
I served this notice on the tenant(s) on ____________ (date).
Method of service (use a method permitted in your state — see the service note above):
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________ Date: ____________
Signature of person serving the notice
Email yourself a copy (PDF)
Self-help template, not legal advice. You cannot remove a tenant yourself — serve a proper notice and, if needed, file in court. Confirm South Carolina and local rules first.
South Carolina Notice to Pay Rent or Quit Rules
A Notice to Pay Rent or Quit is the first step a landlord takes when a tenant has not paid rent. It demands that the tenant pay the full amount owed within the state's required number of days or move out, before the landlord can file for eviction.
South Carolina requires a 5-day notice to pay rent or quit. 5-day pay-or-quit. Under § 27-40-710(b), if rent is unpaid when due and the tenant fails to pay within 5 days of the due date, the landlord may terminate. The landlord must give written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate; HOWEVER, this notice obligation is satisfied for the tenancy once one such notice is given OR if the lease contains the statutory conspicuous-language clause ('If you do not pay your rent within five days of the due date, the landlord can start to have you evicted') — in which case no separate pre-filing notice is required. Counted in calendar days from the rent due date. The notice is served under S.C. Code Ann. §§ 27-40-710, 27-40-770 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act).
How to Serve a Notice to Pay Rent or Quit in South Carolina
Per S.C. Code § 27-40-240, written notice is properly served by delivering it in hand to the tenant or by mailing it by registered or certified mail to the tenant at the place held out as the place for receipt of communications (or, if none, the tenant's last known address / the dwelling unit). Proof of mailing is proof of notice without proof of receipt. For nonpayment, the 5-day notice may also be satisfied by conspicuous statutory language in the written lease (no separate notice then required to file ejectment). A defective notice or improper service can get an eviction dismissed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days is a South Carolina notice to pay rent or quit?
South Carolina requires a 5-day notice to pay rent or quit. 5-day pay-or-quit. Under § 27-40-710(b), if rent is unpaid when due and the tenant fails to pay within 5 days of the due date, the landlord may terminate. The landlord must give written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate; HOWEVER, this notice obligation is satisfied for the tenancy once one such notice is given OR if the lease contains the statutory conspicuous-language clause ('If you do not pay your rent within five days of the due date, the landlord can start to have you evicted') — in which case no separate pre-filing notice is required. Counted in calendar days from the rent due date.
What happens after I serve the notice?
If the tenant does not comply by the deadline, you can file an eviction case in South Carolina court. Only a court order, enforced by a sheriff or constable, can remove the tenant.
Can I email or download the notice?
Yes — fill in the form above, then download the PDF or email a copy to yourself. Serve it on the tenant using a method South Carolina allows.
Disclaimer
This South Carolina notice to pay rent or quit generator is a self-help tool for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Confirm South Carolina and local requirements before serving.