Eviction Laws in Irmo, South Carolina
Irmo is a suburban town straddling the Richland-Lexington county line, positioned between Columbia to the east and Lake Murray to the west. With a population of approximately 12,000, Irmo is a mature suburban community that draws families for its access to two of the Columbia metro’s best school districts — Lexington-Richland School District 5 (covering the Lexington County side) and Richland School District 2 (covering the Richland County side). About two-thirds of Irmo’s residents live in Richland County, with the remaining third in Lexington County, and this two-county split is the single most important procedural detail for landlords filing evictions.
The rental market in Irmo is solidly middle-class suburban. The median household income is $80,489, per capita income is $51,181, and the poverty rate is just 9.15% (6.1% for families). The population is 58% White, 28% Black, and 4% Asian, with a growing Hispanic community at about 6%. The median age is 40.3 years. About 30% of households are renter-occupied, and median renter income is approximately $48,000 — well above the rent-burden threshold for the area’s typical rents. The Harbison Boulevard commercial corridor, which runs through the Irmo/Seven Oaks area, is a major retail and employment hub that generates local service-sector jobs alongside the Columbia commuter base.
Irmo’s economy is tied to the Columbia metro: state government, the University of South Carolina, Prisma Health, and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina are the top employers for Irmo residents. The Harbison area has attracted significant apartment development over the past decade, including large complexes like Grandview at Lake Murray and York Woods along Lake Murray Boulevard, adding hundreds of rental units and increasing competition for tenants in the multifamily segment.
South Carolina’s landlord-tenant framework applies fully in Irmo. 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. Irmo has no rent control, no mandatory rental registration, and no local tenant protections beyond state law. Because Irmo straddles two counties, landlords must determine which county their property is in before filing.
Irmo — Local Rules That Affect Landlords
No rent control. South Carolina has no statewide rent control and no statute permitting municipalities to enact it. Irmo cannot cap rent increases. Landlords may raise rent with proper notice at lease renewal.
Two-county jurisdiction — the critical filing detail. Irmo straddles Richland and Lexington counties. You must file your eviction in the correct county’s magistrate court based on where your property is physically located. For properties on the Lexington County side, file at the Irmo Magistrate Court at 111 Lincreek Drive, Columbia, SC 29212. Phone: 803-785-2384. Judge Rebecca Adams presides. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. For properties on the Richland County side, file at the appropriate Richland County Magistrate Court. If you’re unsure which county your property is in, check the property’s tax parcel on the Lexington County or Richland County GIS system, or look at which county collects your property taxes. Filing in the wrong county will delay your case.
Two school districts — both drive rental demand. Irmo is served by both Lexington-Richland School District 5 and Richland School District 2, and both are well-regarded. The school district zoning is a rental demand driver, particularly for families relocating to the Columbia metro. Properties in District 5 zones (especially those zoned for Dutch Fork Elementary, Middle, and High School) tend to command premium rents. Verify and advertise the specific school zone in your listings — parents will ask.
Lake Murray proximity without lakefront pricing. Irmo sits on the eastern shore of Lake Murray but most of the town is not directly lakefront. This creates an interesting value proposition: tenants get Lake Murray lifestyle access (boat ramps, parks, marina proximity) at rents well below actual lakefront properties in Lexington or Chapin. For landlords, this means marketing Lake Murray access as an amenity even if your property isn’t on the water.
Harbison corridor apartment competition. The Harbison Boulevard area has seen significant multifamily development, with newer apartment communities offering modern amenities, pools, and fitness centers. If you own older rental properties in Irmo, you’re competing against these newer complexes for tenants. Keeping your property updated, competitively priced, and well-maintained is essential to avoid extended vacancies in a market where tenants have options.
Okra Strut — community identity, not a rental factor. Irmo is known for the annual Okra Strut festival held every fall, which draws thousands of visitors. While this is a community identity marker rather than a significant STR opportunity, it does reflect the town’s family-oriented, suburban character — which is exactly the tenant demographic that landlords should be targeting.
Columbia commuter base. Like West Columbia and Lexington, Irmo’s primary tenant pool consists of Columbia metro workers: state government employees, university staff, hospital professionals, and insurance industry workers (BlueCross BlueShield’s headquarters campus is in the Harbison area). These are stable, W-2 income earners with predictable employment and low nonpayment risk.
No mandatory rental registration. Neither the Town of Irmo, Lexington County, nor Richland County requires landlords to register rental properties. Code enforcement is complaint-driven. There is no proactive rental inspection program.
No local STR ordinance. Irmo has not enacted short-term rental legislation beyond state requirements. Hosts must collect and remit state (6%) and local accommodations taxes.
Where Irmo Landlords File — Depends on Your County
Lexington County properties: File at the Irmo Magistrate Court — 111 Lincreek Drive, Columbia, SC 29212. Phone: 803-785-2384. Judge Rebecca Adams presides. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. This is part of the Lexington County multi-court magistrate system.
Richland County properties: File at the appropriate Richland County Magistrate Court location based on your property’s address.
For both counties: 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 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. 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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