Edgefield County is one of South Carolina’s most historically notable counties — it has produced more governors than any other county in state history, and the town of Edgefield retains an antebellum courthouse square character that reflects that legacy. The county sits in the western Midlands on the Georgia border, adjacent to Aiken County to the north and sharing the broader Augusta, Georgia metro area’s economic gravity. The Savannah River Site — the massive Department of Energy nuclear operations and environmental cleanup facility that dominates Aiken County’s economy — generates employment ripple effects into Edgefield County, with some SRS contractors and subcontractors choosing Edgefield for its even lower cost of living relative to Aiken. Johnston, the county’s other significant community, adds an agricultural and light manufacturing dimension to the local economy.
The rental market in Edgefield County is small and concentrated primarily in the town of Edgefield and Johnston. Rents are low, the housing stock is predominantly older, and the tenant base reflects the county’s working-class character with some professional admixture from SRS-adjacent employment. Augusta, Georgia is roughly 35 miles from the county seat, making Edgefield County viable as an affordable bedroom community for Augusta-area workers who prioritize cost of living over commute time. All residential tenancies are governed by the SC Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, with Edgefield County Magistrate Court handling Summary Ejectment proceedings.
📊 Quick Stats
County Seat
Edgefield
Population
~27,000
Key Communities
Edgefield, Johnston, Trenton, Modoc
Court System
Magistrate Court
Rent Control
None (state preemption)
Just-Cause Eviction
Not required
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
5-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate
Lease Violation
14-Day Notice to Cure
Filing Fee
~$80–$120
Court Type
Magistrate Court
Avg. Timeline
2–4 weeks
Statute
SC Code § 27-40-710
Edgefield County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rent Control
None. SC state preemption applies throughout Edgefield County. No rent restrictions in Edgefield, Johnston, or any unincorporated area.
Security Deposit Cap
No statutory cap. Market norms one month’s rent. Must return within 30 days with itemized accounting (SC Code § 27-40-530).
SRS / Augusta Commuter Market
Savannah River Site proximity and Augusta, GA adjacency generate a commuter tenant segment. SRS employees and Augusta workers may choose Edgefield County for its low costs. SC law governs the tenancy regardless of employer location or state.
Edgefield Historic Square
Edgefield’s historic courthouse square area contains architecturally significant properties. Check with the Town of Edgefield for any local historic review requirements before exterior renovation work on properties in the historic core.
Habitability Standard
SC Code § 27-40-410 applies to all residential tenancies. Older housing stock requires proactive maintenance. HVAC, plumbing, and weatherproofing are primary maintenance obligations.
Self-Help Eviction
Prohibited under SC law. Lock changes, utility shutoffs, or removal of belongings are illegal. Summary Ejectment through Edgefield County Magistrate Court is the only lawful remedy.
Source of Income
No state or local requirement to accept housing vouchers in Edgefield County.
Retaliatory Eviction
Prohibited. Courts may presume retaliation if eviction is filed within 90 days of a documented habitability complaint.
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Landlord must give 5-day written notice before filing. Tenant can cure by paying full amount within 5 days. If tenant pays after filing but before judgment, case may be dismissed. Base filing fee is $40 for Rule to Show Cause, plus a $25 mandatory court surcharge per SC Stat. §22-3-340, bringing practical minimum to $65. Writ of Ejectment costs an additional $10. Filing fees may vary by county ($40-$75 range reported).
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the Magistrate Court. Pay the filing fee (~$40).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about South Carolina eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified South Carolina attorney or local legal aid organization.
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Select your state, eviction reason, and the date you plan to serve notice. We'll calculate your earliest filing date and key milestones.
⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
SRS commuter tenants: Savannah River Site employees are federal contractor professionals with stable, well-documented income. Request employer verification letters confirming contractor name, clearance level (if relevant to stability), and salary. SRS employment is multi-decade stable.
Augusta, GA cross-border tenants: Verify GA-based employment income identically to SC income — pay stubs, employer letter, W-2. SC law governs the tenancy regardless of where the tenant earns income.
Edgefield County Landlord Guide: Historic SC, SRS Proximity, and Landlord-Tenant Law
Edgefield County carries a weight of history unusual even for South Carolina — the county has produced ten governors, more than any other county in the state, along with a number of other notable political and military figures. The town of Edgefield preserves this heritage in its antebellum courthouse square and surrounding historic neighborhoods, giving it a character that attracts a small but genuine stream of retirees and history-minded residents who find the combination of architectural legacy and low costs compelling. For landlords, this historical backdrop coexists with the practical realities of a small rural Midlands market: modest rents, limited new construction, and a tenant base shaped more by SRS employment and Augusta-area commuting than by tourism or recreation.
SC Eviction Law in Edgefield County
Evictions in Edgefield County follow the SC statutory process with no local modifications. Nonpayment evictions begin with a written 5-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate under SC Code § 27-40-710. After five days without resolution, Summary Ejectment is filed at Edgefield County Magistrate Court in Edgefield. Hearing scheduling on a small docket is typically efficient; the two-to-four-week total timeline is achievable. Lease violation evictions require 14 days to cure under SC Code § 27-40-720. The Edgefield County Sheriff enforces Writs of Ejectment. Self-help eviction — lock changes, utility shutoffs, harassment — is prohibited under SC law and creates civil liability for landlords who attempt it regardless of how clear the tenant’s default may be.
The SRS and Augusta Commuter Tenant Profile
The Savannah River Site’s massive employment footprint — primarily in neighboring Aiken County but generating economic activity throughout the western SC Midlands — produces a valuable category of potential tenants for Edgefield County landlords: SRS contractor employees and subcontractors who choose Edgefield County’s even-lower-than-Aiken housing costs as their residential base. These workers are typically professional-class with stable, well-documented incomes from major federal contractors including Savannah River Nuclear Solutions and Savannah River Remediation. Income verification is straightforward, and the multi-decade nature of SRS operations provides employment stability that few private-sector employers can match. For landlords with quality properties, specifically marketing to SRS employees and contractor HR departments can produce a highly qualified applicant pool.
The Augusta, Georgia metro — roughly 35 miles from the Edgefield county seat — adds a second commuter pool: Augusta-area workers in healthcare, military (Fort Eisenhower), and private sector employment who prioritize South Carolina’s lower cost of living and the absence of a state income tax disadvantage that some GA residents face. SC law governs any residential tenancy entered into within SC regardless of the tenant’s employment state, so income from Georgia employers is underwritten identically to SC income.
Habitability in Older Rural Stock
Edgefield County’s housing stock reflects its age and rural character — much of the available rental inventory is older construction that requires consistent maintenance investment to meet SC Code § 27-40-410’s habitability standards. HVAC reliability is the most common habitability concern: summer temperatures in the western SC Midlands are severe, and a cooling system that fails in July creates a genuine habitability issue that a tenant can raise as a defense in any eviction proceeding. Landlords who acquire low-cost Edgefield County properties should budget for mechanical systems maintenance and be prepared to address repair requests promptly. Documenting all repair responses in writing protects the landlord’s position if habitability claims arise later.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Landlord-tenant law is subject to change and may vary based on individual circumstances. For questions about a specific eviction, lease dispute, or compliance matter, consult a licensed South Carolina attorney or contact Edgefield County Magistrate Court directly. Last updated: March 2026.
