Eviction Laws in Easley, South Carolina
Easley is the largest city in Pickens County and the commercial hub of the western Upstate, sitting about 15 miles west of Greenville along U.S. Highway 123. With a population of approximately 24,000, Easley functions as the affordable alternative to the Greenville-Mauldin-Simpsonville corridor — offering the same access to the Upstate’s manufacturing job base at substantially lower housing costs. The city is part of the Greenville-Mauldin-Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area, and most of its working residents commute east into Greenville County for employment in manufacturing, healthcare, and education. Pickens County itself has a population of about 131,000, with Easley accounting for nearly a fifth of the county’s residents.
The rental market in Easley is distinctly more affordable than its Greenville County neighbors. Average apartment rent runs about $1,405, up roughly 10% year-over-year as the market catches up to broader Upstate pricing. The majority of rentals (54%) fall in the $1,000–$1,500 per month range. About 32% of households are renter-occupied, with two-bedroom units making up 56% of the rental stock. The median household income is $66,299, notably lower than Mauldin ($82K) or Greenville ($60K+), and 9.3% of families live in poverty. Renter median household income sits at about $32,700, and the rent-to-income ratio is 33.1% — above the standard 30% affordability threshold. This means a larger share of your tenant pool in Easley is rent-burdened compared to wealthier Upstate suburbs, which increases nonpayment risk and makes thorough income verification during screening essential.
Easley’s population is approximately 77% White, 12% Black, and has a growing Hispanic community (about 10%). The median age is 39.2, and nearly 20% of residents are 65 or older — a higher senior share than most Upstate cities. The top employment sectors for residents are manufacturing (the largest), healthcare, and education. Clemson University, located just 12 miles west in the town of Clemson, also generates some rental demand from university staff and graduate students who prefer Easley’s lower rents to Clemson’s tight and inflated housing market.
South Carolina’s landlord-tenant framework applies fully in Easley. The 5-day nonpayment notice (or no notice with the statutory lease language under S.C. Code § 27-40-710(B)), no security deposit cap, and 24-hour post-judgment removal all apply. Easley has no rent control, no mandatory rental registration, and no local tenant protections beyond state law. Eviction filings go through the Pickens County Magistrate Court, centrally located in Liberty.
Easley & Pickens County — Local Rules That Affect Landlords
No rent control. South Carolina has no statewide rent control and no statute permitting municipalities to enact it. Easley cannot cap rent increases. Landlords may raise rent with proper notice at lease renewal.
Pickens County Magistrate Court — centralized in Liberty. Unlike Greenville County’s multi-court system, Pickens County operates a centralized Magistrate Court at 310 West Main Street (Highway 93), Liberty, SC 29657. Phone: 864-898-5551. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. All eviction filings for properties in Easley go through this location. Chief Magistrate Benjamin A. Dow presides, with Associate Chief Magistrate Brian E. Swafford and additional magistrates Michael A. Baker and Charles E. James. The county provides eviction forms (Application for Ejectment) free of charge at the court office or on the county website.
The 6th-day rule. Pickens County’s own FAQ emphasizes a specific timing detail: you may not file for eviction until the tenant is more than five days delinquent — meaning on the sixth day following the day rent was due. This aligns with S.C. Code § 27-40-710(B) but the county court is explicit about enforcement. If you file on day five, the court will reject the application.
Affordable market — higher nonpayment risk. Easley’s renter median income of ~$32,700 and a rent-to-income ratio above 33% means a meaningful share of tenants are financially stretched. For landlords, this translates to higher nonpayment risk compared to Greenville or Mauldin. Including the S.C. Code § 27-40-710(B) statutory bold-text language in your lease (which eliminates the 5-day notice requirement and allows immediate filing after day 5) is especially important in this market — it can shave 5+ days off your eviction timeline when nonpayment occurs.
Clemson University spillover demand. Clemson University is about 12 miles west of Easley, and the town of Clemson has an extremely tight rental market driven by student demand. University staff, graduate students, and some upper-division undergrads with cars rent in Easley for the lower prices. This creates a niche tenant segment that’s relatively reliable — university-affiliated tenants tend to have predictable lease terms aligned with the academic calendar. However, be aware that student-adjacent tenants may vacate at the end of spring semester regardless of lease terms, so align your lease end dates with the academic year (May or August) if targeting this market.
Big League World Series — seasonal short-term rental opportunity. Easley has hosted the Big League World Series (ages 15–18) annually since 2011, bringing teams and families from across the country to the city for multi-day tournament stays. This creates a short-term rental demand spike, but Easley’s STR market is small (about 29 active Airbnb listings as of late 2024) with a 63% occupancy rate and $119 average daily rate. Hosts must collect and remit state (6%) and local accommodations taxes.
Older housing stock considerations. Easley’s rental housing skews older than the Greenville metro average. Properties built before 1978 require federal lead paint disclosure. Pickens County property taxes are notably low (average 0.48% effective rate, below the national average of 0.99%), which helps landlord margins, but older properties may require more maintenance investment. Budget accordingly.
No mandatory rental registration. Neither the City of Easley nor Pickens County requires landlords to register rental properties. Code enforcement is complaint-driven. There is no proactive rental inspection program.
Pickens County Magistrate’s Court — Where Easley Landlords File
Easley eviction cases are filed at the Pickens County Magistrate Court — 310 West Main Street (Highway 93), Liberty, SC 29657. Phone: 864-898-5551. Fax: 864-843-4652. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Note that this court is located in Liberty, not Easley — approximately 8 miles south of downtown Easley. File Form SCCA 732 (Application for Ejectment) and pay the $40 filing fee. Eviction forms are available free at the court office or on the Pickens County website. The court issues a Rule to Show Cause served on the tenant by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office. If served in person, the tenant has 10 days to respond; if posted on the door, the tenant has 20 days to respond. If uncontested, a default Writ of Ejectment is issued. If contested, a hearing is scheduled — either party may request a jury trial in writing (six-member jury). After judgment, the Writ of Ejectment is issued; the tenant has 24 hours to vacate after the Writ is posted. If they do not leave, contact the Sheriff’s Office to schedule a physical set-out. Do not change locks, remove belongings, or cut utilities before the Sheriff executes the Writ — self-help eviction is illegal under S.C. Code § 27-40-660.
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