Eviction Laws in Greer, South Carolina
Greer is the fastest-growing city in the South Carolina Upstate, straddling Greenville and Spartanburg counties along the I-85 corridor with a population that has surged nearly 44% since 2020 to over 51,500 residents. That explosive growth is driven by BMW Manufacturing — the company’s only U.S. assembly plant sits just outside Greer and employs over 11,000 workers — along with the SC Inland Port, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), and a wave of supplier companies and logistics operations that have clustered along the I-85 corridor. Median household income sits at $82,626, and median rents average about $1,235–$1,568 depending on source and unit type. The metro area (Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson) recently surpassed 1 million residents, making it one of the fastest-growing in the nation. For landlords, Greer offers strong tenant demand from manufacturing and logistics workers, above-average incomes, and a market where new construction can barely keep pace with population growth.
South Carolina’s full landlord framework applies in Greer: the 5-day nonpayment notice (or none with the statutory lease language under S.C. Code § 27-40-710(B)), no security deposit cap, and 24-hour post-judgment removal. Greer has no rent control (South Carolina has no enabling statute for local rent control) and no mandatory rental registration. Critically, Greer straddles two counties — properties in the Greenville County portion file at the Greer Magistrate’s Office on South Main Street; properties in the Spartanburg County portion file at the Spartanburg County Magistrate’s Court. Confirm your county before filing.
Greer & Greenville/Spartanburg County — Local Rules That Affect Landlords
No rent control. South Carolina has no statewide rent control and no statute permitting municipalities to enact it. Greer cannot cap rent increases. Landlords may raise rent with proper notice at lease renewal.
Two-County Jurisdiction — Critical. Greer straddles Greenville and Spartanburg counties. Filing in the wrong county’s Magistrate’s Court will result in dismissal. Verify your property’s county by address before preparing Form SCCA 732. The Greenville County portion of Greer has a Magistrate’s Office right in town at 100 South Main Street; the Spartanburg County portion requires filing at the Spartanburg County Magistrate’s Court.
No mandatory rental registration. Neither Greer, Greenville County, nor Spartanburg County requires landlords to register residential rental properties. There is no proactive rental inspection program — code enforcement operates on a complaint basis only.
BMW workforce — strong tenant base. BMW Manufacturing and its extensive supplier network employ thousands of workers who rent in Greer. This creates a reliable tenant pool with above-average incomes and stable employment. Many international workers (BMW brings significant German and European workforce) may be on work visas — verify residency status and lease terms carefully during screening, but these tenants tend to be low-risk and pay on time.
No local STR permit required. The City of Greer has not enacted city-level short-term rental legislation. Airbnb and VRBO properties operate under South Carolina’s statewide framework only — no city permit required. Hosts must collect and remit state (6%) and local accommodations taxes.
Greenville County Magistrate’s Court — Where Most Greer Landlords File
Most Greer eviction cases are filed at the Greer Magistrate’s Office — 100 South Main Street, Greer, SC 29650. This is the Greenville County Magistrate’s Court satellite office located right in downtown Greer — a significant convenience for local landlords. File Form SCCA 732 (Application for Ejectment) and pay the $40 filing fee. The court issues a Rule to Show Cause served on the tenant by the Greenville 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 (rare). 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. If your property is in the Spartanburg County portion of Greer, file at the Spartanburg County Magistrate’s Court — 180 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306 instead.
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