South Carolina Legal Services
Last updated August 2026
South Carolina Legal Services provides free civil legal help to low-income residents. Apply online through the LawHelp SC intake, or call the telephone intake line at 1-888-346-5592. If a housing problem is moving fast, start here right away, because South Carolina's eviction timeline is one of the shortest in the country.
Read this part carefully, because it surprises people. For nonpayment of rent, a landlord may end the lease if you fail to pay within five days of the due date after written notice, the five-day pay-or-quit rule. There is no 30-day grace period.
The harsher twist: a separate written notice is not even required if the five-day language is already stated in conspicuous terms in your written lease. That means many South Carolina tenants get no separate warning before an eviction is filed. Check your lease now, before there is a problem, so you know which situation you are in.
Evictions are filed in magistrate court. After you are served with the rule to vacate, you have 10 days to appear; if you fail to appear in that window, the court issues a warrant of ejectment. So responding on time is the single most important thing you can do.
The warrant of ejectment is issued and enforced under state law, and a constable then carries out the physical removal. If you lose, you can appeal the magistrate's decision to the circuit court, and SC Legal Services materials walk through the steps before filing and how to appeal.
Move fast and get help. Apply through the LawHelp SC online intake, which screens your issue and income, and dial 2-1-1 for local rent funds that can pay the balance before the five days run out.
Phone 1-888-346-5592
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Low-income South Carolina residents with a civil, noncriminal legal problem; intake screens your income and the type of case
- The self-help legal information at lawhelp.org/sc is free for everyone, with no income screen
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Check your lease now for five-day pay-or-quit language; if it is there, you may get no separate notice.
- 2
If rent is due, act within the five-day window; call 2-1-1 about emergency rent funds immediately.
- 3
Apply for free legal help through the LawHelp SC online intake or call 1-888-346-5592.
- 4
If served with a rule to vacate, appear within 10 days; missing it lets the court issue a warrant.
What the application looks like
Common questions
How much time do I get before an eviction for unpaid rent?
Just five days to pay after written notice, the five-day pay-or-quit rule. There is no 30-day grace period in South Carolina.
Will I always get a written notice first?
Not necessarily. If the five-day pay-or-quit language is in your written lease, no separate notice is required before filing. Check your lease.
What happens after I am served?
You have 10 days to appear in magistrate court. If you fail to appear in that window, the court issues a warrant of ejectment and a constable removes you.
How do I get free legal help?
Apply through the LawHelp SC online intake, or call South Carolina Legal Services at 1-888-346-5592.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
See all South Carolina programs →Free · Private · No account needed