Build the record before the dispute gets harder
Good evidence keeps the dispute focused. It also makes your letters stronger because you are not just saying the landlord is wrong; you are showing the timeline, the condition, and the money trail.
South Carolina deposit disputes usually turn on the timeline, demand, forwarding address, written itemization, deductions, condition, and the amount wrongfully withheld.
Keep timeline proof
- lease start and end dates
- notice ending the tenancy, if any
- date possession was delivered
- key return or access handoff proof
- written demand for return of the deposit
- forwarding address sent to the landlord
Keep money proof
- deposit payment receipt
- lease deposit clause
- rent ledger, if available
- refund check or payment record
- itemized written notice or deduction list
Keep condition proof
- move-in photos
- move-out photos
- videos
- inspection notes
- repair messages
- cleaning or repair receipts
Keep communication proof
Save letters, emails, texts, portal messages, certified mail receipts, tracking records, and screenshots showing dates.
The goal is to make it easy to show what happened and when. Before small claims or any final demand, organize the record so the dispute is about facts: the deadline, your written demand, your forwarding address, the landlord's itemization, and the deductions you dispute.
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Important: This page provides general information and is not legal advice.