Housing Legal Aid in Charleston

CPBLS provides free legal assistance to Charleston County residents in the following areas:

  • Landlord-Tenant Law

  • Fair Housing

  • Discrimination in Housing

  • Housing and Disabilities

  • Property Tax

  • Subsidized Housing (Public, Section 8, Vouchers, etc)

  • Eviction Defense

  • Quit Claim

Housing Court Program

Free Legal Representation for Eligible Tenants Facing Eviction.

The program currently operates in the following courts:

City of Charleston Magistrate Court
James Island Magistrate Court
North Area Magistrate Court 1
North Area Magistrate Court 2
North Area Magistrate Court 3
Ravenel/Adams Run Area Magistrate Court
West Ashley Area Magistrate Court

How It Works

If you have received an eviction notice or have a court date scheduled in Charleston County, you may qualify for free legal assistance through our Housing Court Program.

1. Come to your scheduled eviction hearing.
 Bring any paperwork you've received from your landlord or the court.

2. Meet with our Housing Court team.
 We'll review your situation, determine whether you qualify for free services, and help you complete the required paperwork.

3. Get free legal representation.
 If you're eligible, one of our attorneys will represent you during your hearing and advocate on your behalf.

 

111 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401

(843) 853-6456

Office hours:
Monday - Friday
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

How to get support

If you’re facing a legal issue, you don’t have to navigate it alone. If you think you are eligible for our services, you can complete an intake form online, over the phone, or in person at our office. We are a nonprofit organization, and this is required by our funding sources before we can serve you. 

A member of our staff will review your application and contact you within three business days. If you are eligible for services and you have a legal problem that we handle, a legal assistant will work with you on next steps. If you are not eligible for services from CPBLS, we will do our best to connect you with other agencies or resources that might be able to help.

Request Legal Help

Who is eligible?

To qualify for our services, applicants must:

  • Be a resident of Charleston County; and

  • Have a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Charleston County.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, we encourage you to apply.

Charleston County Housing Court Program History

The Charleston Housing Court Program was developed in response to Charleston County's growing eviction crisis and the significant number of tenants navigating the eviction process without legal representation. Recognizing that access to an attorney can dramatically improve outcomes, legal aid organizations, magistrate judges, and community partners came together to create a new model that would provide free legal representation to eligible tenants at the courthouse.

The program launched as a pilot in October 2019, operating in a single magistrate court one day each week. Following its demonstrated success, the South Carolina Supreme Court authorized the expansion of Housing Court to all Charleston County magistrate courts in 2021, recognizing the program's importance in addressing the region's eviction crisis.

Since Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services assumed management of the program in 2021, we have represented thousands of tenants and consistently achieved successful outcomes in the vast majority of cases.

Evictions in South Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions

  • No. In South Carolina, the only legal way to evict you is through Magistrate's Court. Anything else — changing your locks, shutting off your power or water, removing your door, throwing out your belongings — is illegal, even if you owe rent.


  • No. A landlord may not legally evict a tenant without going to court. If your landlord does this, contact Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services (CPBLS) or South Carolina Legal Services (SCLS) right away. You may be able to stay in your home and recover money damages and attorney's fees.

  • The three most common reasons are: (1) not paying rent, (2) breaking a rule in your lease, or (3) staying after your lease has ended. A landlord cannot evict you just for complaining about conditions — that is illegal retaliation.

    • For unpaid rent: The landlord must give you a written demand and 5 days to pay. Check your lease! If your lease says in conspicuous print that no extra notice will be given, the landlord can skip this step. Also, if you've already received one 5-day notice during your lease term, the landlord does not have to give another.

    • For breaking a lease rule: The landlord generally must give you 14 days' written notice describing the problem and a chance to fix it (if it's fixable).

  • If you pay everything you owe within the 5-day notice period, the eviction for nonpayment cannot go forward. If the case has already been filed, paying may still help — bring proof of any payment to your hearing, and talk to legal aid about your options. Always get receipts.

After You Are Served

  • Once you are served a Rule to Vacate (also called a Rule to Show Cause), you have 10 days to ask the Magistrate's Court for a hearing. You can call the Magistrate Court directly using the phone number on the document you were given to schedule the hearing. If you do not schedule a hearing within 10 days, the court will automatically order your eviction (this is called a Writ of Ejectment).

  • Yes. You should request an eviction hearing and appear in court whether you plan to vacate or not. Requesting a hearing protects you from a default judgment, gives you a chance to dispute money the landlord claims you owe, and gives you time to move on your own terms.

  • Call or visit the Magistrate Court office listed on your papers within the 10-day window. Tell them you would like to request a hearing for your eviction case. It costs nothing to request a hearing. Write down the name of the person you spoke with and the date.

Repairs, Retaliation, and Defenses

  • No, you must continue to pay rent. Instead, give your landlord a 14-day written notice describing the repairs needed. Keep a copy. If the repairs aren't made, you may have the right to end your lease and move, or take the landlord to court.


  • No. It is illegal for a landlord to evict you just for complaining to them or to a government agency (like code enforcement) about problems with your home. However, a landlord could still evict you for other reasons.

  • Bring your lease, rent receipts or bank records, photos or videos of any problems with the unit, copies of letters or texts between you and the landlord, and your written repair requests. Organize everything by date. Arrive early.

If You Lose

  • The magistrate issues a Writ of Ejectment. After that, a deputy or constable can carry out the put out. Ask the judge at your hearing directly how much time you have to move, and start making arrangements immediately.

  • Do not leave belongings behind if you can avoid it. Property left in the unit after an eviction will be thrown out.

  • Eviction filings can be found on your local county’s public index regardless of the outcome.

  • Maybe. If you have questions about how domestic violence may affect your tenancy rights, please contact legal aid to learn more about your options.

  • Maybe. If you have questions about your tenancy rights, please contact legal aid to learn more about your options.

Special Situations