Any advice or pointers on evicting a tenant South Carolina?

[Jonathan Perez]

Just closed on my first duplex last Tuesday. And the side I'm supposed to be moving in, the tenant hasn't paid rent and my PM is filing for eviction. Tenant was on a month to month lease and was already given a notice to vacate since I have to move in.... I am in South Carolina. Any tips? What should I prepare for? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you

[Daniel Roberts]

In Kershaw County, We go to Magistrate Office with lease and sign the Affidavit and Application of Ejectment and pay $40 fee.  The tenant is served eviction paperwork and we are mailed a slip of paper documenting the eviction.  It sounds like you are at this point now.

If the tenant does not voluntarily vacate, we take the slip of paper to the Sheriff's office and they do a "set-out" where they force the tenant out of the house.

My advice to you is to call the Civil Division of your magistrate/Summary court in your County (Lexington) and follow their guidance!

Also, if you will be writing your own leases in SC, be sure to include the "5 day eviction notice" in your lease.  SC allows that to be included in your lease, saving you 5 days in the process!

Good Luck.