(Columbia, SC) — For many South Carolina renters, an eviction record can follow them for years—long after the issue is resolved—making it difficult to secure safe, affordable housing. New legislation under consideration at the State House could soon offer renters a long-awaited second chance.
One bill prefiled in the South Carolina Senate would allow people to expunge eviction records after five years, as long as no additional evictions occur during that time. Supporters say the change could remove a major barrier to housing in a market where options are already limited.
Even eviction cases that were settled out of court can appear on background checks and tenant screening reports. For residents like Robynne Campbell, those records have created ongoing challenges.
“I’ve lived on my own since I was a teenager, and even though my early eviction cases were settled, they still showed up years later,” Campbell said. “It still made it hard to find adequate, reasonable, affordable housing.”
Campbell says South Carolina’s current process for clearing eviction records is complicated and stressful—especially for people already dealing with housing insecurity.
“The process is very stipulated and difficult,” she said. “It doesn’t take away the stress of dealing with an eviction. It adds to it.”
The Senate bill, sponsored by Sen. Russell Ott (D-Calhoun), would require courts to grant an expungement once the five-year requirement is met.
“People are having a hard time renting because of something that may have happened eight, nine, ten years ago,” Ott said. “We all know the cost of living is rising, and housing is harder to find.”
A separate bill in the South Carolina House goes even further. That proposal would remove eviction filings—not just completed evictions—from public records if the case did not result in a court-ordered move-out. It would also automatically clear settled eviction cases after six years.
Lawmakers backing the House bill say the goal is to simplify the process and strengthen communities.
“It shouldn’t be hard to get something settled that should already be settled,” one legislator said. “Making it easier helps people and helps communities.”
Both bills are currently in committee and must advance before reaching the House or Senate floor. The next legislative session begins January 13.
If passed, the proposals could mark a significant shift in how South Carolina handles eviction records—offering many renters a real opportunity to move forward and rebuild housing stability.
