Landlord Services and Evictions
The Dickson Davis Law Firm does represent both landlords, or lessors, and tenants, or lessees. Because the Dickson Davis Law Firm is in an unique position to understand and analyze both sides, the Dickson Davis Law Firm works with landlords, or lessors, with the eviction process. However, the Dickson Davis Law Firm vets potential landlord clients who are genuinely interested in being good landlords, or lessors, responsible to maintain a safe environment for tenants, or lessees, and operate in a manner that is ethical with a true desire to maintain compliance with South Carolina landlord-tenant law.
In other words, the Dickson Davis Law Firm is not interested in representing slum lords or landlords who are not Willing to maintain compliance with South Carolina law as an ethical matter.
The Dickson Davis Law understands that the landlord-tenant relationship is a balancing act of rights for both the landlord, or lessor, and the tenant, or lessee. Compliance with South Carolina Landlord-Tenant law is a two-way relationship. The Dickson Davis Law Firm is well-versed in both aspects. Whether from a consulting standpoint, or taking a more active role, regarding the eviction process in South Carolina, the Dickson Davis Law Firm can accommodate various needs of landlords, or lessors.
The recent legal environment with the COVID pandemic placed landlords, or lessors, in a perilous predicament that threaten ongoing housing. In the long-term, landlords, or lessors, faced financial difficulty during these times that may exacerbate a housing crisis.
The Dickson Davis Law Firm does deal with landlords, or lessors, who receive governmental benefits such as the Rural Development Housing, HUD housing, and so forth.
The Dickson Davis Law Firm handles transactional drafting with drafting leases, notices, and etc. Customized lease agreements by the Dickson Davis Law Firm will be detailed and trace compliance measures with the South Carolina Residential Landlord Tenant Act or relevant case law governing the landlord-tenant relationship. The Dickson Davis Law Firm also coordinates with handling volume evictions for issues related to both nonpayment of rent and issues unrelated to nonpayment of rent.
The Dickson Davis Law Firm also deals with commercial landlord-tenant disputes as well.
For some issues, the South Carolina Residential Landlord Tenant Act allows for recovery of attorney’s fees. However, in reality, magistrate courts have been reluctant to allow the recovery of attorney’s fees even if you are entitled to attorney’s fees.
The Dickson Davis Law Firm does handle litigation in landlord-tenant disputes as well for landlords, or lessors.
The Dickson Davis Law Firm handles primarily commercial landlord-tenant disputes.
The Dickson Davis Law Firm handles the following types of Landlord and Tenant Disputes:
Rent Disputes
South Carolina Five Day Rule for Non-payment of Rent
South Carolina 14 Day Rule for Right to Cure Non-Payment of Rent
Writ of Ejectment (before eviction)
Eviction
Trespass
Wrongful Dispossession (or Wrongful Eviction)
Security Deposits
Property Damage
Landlord's Duties to maintain premises, make necessary repairs, and housing regulations
Premises Liability related to Personal Injury (on the property)
Negligent Security
Bad Faith
Document Review (of lease agreements)
Drafting of Lease Agreement, notices, and etc.
Compliance measures
Your lease agreement usually controls the landlord-tenant relationship. Where the lease does not cover certain situation, the South Carolina statutes fill in as a gap-filler to govern the landlord-tenant relationship. But, a lease agreement may not dictate the landlord-tenant relationship in its entirety. Or, a written lease agreement may not exist. The Dickson Davis Law Firm can analyze your rights under various circumstances.
Typically, most landlord-tenant disputes are handled in magistrate courts for claims less than $7,500 in the county in which the property is located.
Additionally, landlords should be aware of the legal and procedural requirements involved when dealing with renting property and entering into lease agreements:
Title 27 - Property and Conveyances, Chapter 3 Limitation on Liability of Landowners
Title 27 - Property and Conveyances, Chapter 33 Landlord and Tenant Generally
Title 27 - Property and Conveyances, Chapter 37 Ejectment of Tenants
Title 27 - Property and Conveyances, Chapter 40 Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
Title 27 - Property and Conveyances, Chapter 41 Undertenants of Life Tenants
While you are not required to have an attorney in magistrate court, landlords may send an employee of the property management company instead. However, a landlord, or lessor, or an employee of the property management company may not be well-versed in the nuances of South Carolina law or the necessary procedures required to proceed in magistrate court.
Call the Dickson Davis Law Firm about your landlord-tenant dispute to explore your options after a thorough consultation. Be sure the procedural requirements are being followed pursuant to South Carolina law. We are here to help you make a meaningful decision regarding your landlord-tenant dispute. Take comfort knowing the Dickson Davis Law Firm will assist you in landlord-tenant disputes so you can go about your business instead and let your staff focus on managing properties.
Call us today at (833) 729-3426 for up to a one-hour consultation to evaluate the merits of your case. For landlord-tenant disputes, we charge a flat fee of $225.00 for a consultation up to one hour by phone, virtually through Zoom, or in person by appointment only. If we are not the right fit for your situation, then we will be happy to help you by referring you to someone else.