Can my landlord raise my rent if I complained about repairs?

Not within 180 days of your complaint without risking a retaliation claim. South Carolina law presumes retaliation occurred if a rent increase happens within that window, putting the burden on your landlord to prove otherwise. After 180 days, a rent increase is legal unless you can prove it was actually motivated by your complaint.

What's considered a 'protected complaint' in Myrtle Beach?

Any written complaint about code violations, habitability issues, or unsafe conditions—whether to your landlord, the Myrtle Beach Building and Zoning Department, or other government agencies. You don't need to hire a lawyer or file anything formal; the complaint itself is what counts legally.

How do I prove retaliation if my landlord is being sneaky about it?

Document everything with dates: your written complaint, any response from your landlord, and the adverse action that follows. If it happened within 180 days, the law presumes retaliation—your landlord has to explain it. Beyond that, you'll want to show a pattern or get testimony about their motive, which is why consulting an attorney becomes valuable.

Landlord Retaliation Laws in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, your landlord can't legally punish you for exercising your tenant rights—and if they try, you've got legal recourse that can put money back in your pocket. South Carolina law prohibits landlord retaliation, but you need to understand exactly what that means and how to protect yourself.

What counts as retaliation in Myrtle Beach?

Here's the thing: South Carolina Code Section 27-40-720 is your shield against landlord retaliation. Retaliation happens when your landlord takes adverse action against you because you've done something legally protected. What triggers protection? You complained about code violations, requested repairs for habitability issues, or reported the landlord to a government agency.

The law specifically protects you if you've reported violations to the Myrtle Beach Building and Zoning Department, the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, or similar agencies. You don't need to hire a lawyer or get fancy—a written complaint counts.

Adverse actions your landlord can't take include raising your rent, decreasing services, threatening eviction, or actually filing for eviction within a certain timeframe. They also can't harass you, refuse to renew your lease, or make your living conditions worse. Basically, if it feels punitive and follows your complaint, it's probably illegal.

The critical 180-day window you need to know about

Pay attention to this part because the timing is everything financially.

South Carolina law presumes retaliation occurred if your landlord takes action against you within 180 days of your protected complaint. That's six months. If your landlord raises your rent, files for eviction, or reduces services within that window, the burden shifts to them to prove they didn't retaliate. This presumption is huge because it flips the usual power dynamic—now the landlord has to explain themselves, not you.

After 180 days pass, you can still win a retaliation case, but you'll need stronger evidence that the action was actually retaliatory. So if you complain on January 15th, and your rent gets hiked on July 1st, South Carolina law is already on your side. Document everything with dates.

What happens if you win a retaliation case?

Honestly, the financial stakes here make it worth fighting. — and that can make a big difference

If a court finds that your landlord retaliated against you, you're entitled to actual damages—and this is where money talks. You can recover the actual financial harm you suffered. If your rent was illegally raised, you can get the difference back. If you were wrongfully evicted and incurred moving costs, storage fees, or had to pay deposits on a new place, those losses are recoverable. You can also recover attorney's fees if you hire a lawyer, which means your landlord might be paying for your legal representation.

Beyond actual damages, you might recover statutory damages or punitive damages in certain circumstances, though South Carolina courts approach these more conservatively. The real power move is that an illegal eviction or lease termination won't stick—you can't be forced out if the action was retaliatory.

How to protect yourself (the practical steps)

Start here if you're worried about retaliation. Make your complaint in writing. Email, certified mail, or hand-delivered copies all create documentation. Include dates, specific code violations, and what repairs are needed. Send it to your landlord, and keep copies for yourself.

Next, consider reporting to the appropriate agency simultaneously. The Myrtle Beach Building and Zoning Department can be reached through the City of Myrtle Beach's official website. A formal complaint creates an official record, which strengthens your legal position significantly.

Then document everything going forward. If your landlord raises rent, serves notice, reduces services, or acts coldly toward you, write it down with dates. Photos of deteriorating conditions help too. This creates your evidence trail.

If retaliation does happen, consult with a South Carolina attorney who handles landlord-tenant disputes. Many offer free initial consultations. You're not required to have a lawyer, but they can navigate the legal system and potentially recover your attorney's fees from your landlord.

Key Takeaways

Landlords in Myrtle Beach can't retaliate against you for complaining about code violations, uninhabitable conditions, or reporting them to agencies—it's illegal under SC Code 27-40-720.
You've got strong legal presumption on your side if your landlord acts against you within 180 days of a written complaint; they have to prove they didn't retaliate.
If you win a retaliation case, you can recover actual damages (lost rent, moving costs, relocation expenses) plus potentially attorney's fees, which incentivizes landlords to settle rather than fight.
Always make complaints in writing, keep copies, and consider filing with the City of Myrtle Beach Building and Zoning Department to create an official record that strengthens your legal position.