South Carolina Practice TestProperty Management

South Carolina Property Management
Practice Questions & Answers (2026)

Property management questions on the South Carolina exam cover both the practical aspects of managing rental properties and the landlord-tenant law specific to South Carolina. The South Carolina Real Estate Commission tests security deposit limits, required notice periods for entry and termination, habitability standards, and the property manager's fiduciary duties. South Carolina's landlord-tenant law has specific provisions — including notice requirements and tenant protections — that differ from what national study materials cover. These questions often involve scenarios where a property manager must navigate competing obligations to the owner-client and the tenant.

Practice Questions

South Carolina Property Management — Practice Questions & Answers

100 questions on Property Management from the South Carolina real estate question bank. First 10 are free — sign up to unlock all 100.

Q1. In South Carolina, a property manager who collects rent and negotiates leases on behalf of others must hold:

A.A property management certificate only
B.A real estate license
C.A business license only
D.No license if they manage 5 or fewer units

Explanation

South Carolina requires a real estate license (or property management license) to collect rent, negotiate leases, or manage property for others for compensation.

Q2. Under the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, a landlord must give how much notice before entering a tenant's unit for non-emergency repairs?

A.12 hours
B.24 hours
C.48 hours
D.72 hours

Explanation

South Carolina's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act requires landlords to provide at least 24 hours notice before entering a tenant's dwelling unit for non-emergency repairs or inspections.

Q3. A South Carolina landlord must return a security deposit within how many days after a tenant vacates?

A.14 days
B.21 days
C.30 days
D.45 days

Explanation

Under South Carolina law, a landlord must return the security deposit (or provide an itemized list of deductions) within 30 days of the tenant vacating the property.

Q4. Which document outlines the rights and responsibilities of both landlord and tenant in a South Carolina rental?

A.The property management agreement
B.The lease or rental agreement
C.The tenant estoppel certificate
D.The Certificate of Occupancy

Explanation

The lease or rental agreement is the contract that outlines the terms of the tenancy, including rent, duration, responsibilities, and rights of both landlord and tenant.

Q5. In South Carolina, which type of lease has no fixed end date and renews automatically each rent period?

A.Estate for years
B.Periodic tenancy
C.Tenancy at will
D.Tenancy at sufferance

Explanation

A periodic tenancy (e.g., month-to-month) automatically renews each period until terminated by proper notice from either party. Common notice required is one full rental period.

Q6. A South Carolina property manager's primary duty is to:

A.Maximize rent income at all costs
B.Act in the best interests of the property owner
C.Represent the interests of the tenants
D.Ensure the property is always occupied

Explanation

A property manager is a fiduciary agent of the property owner and must act in the owner's best interests, including proper maintenance, legal compliance, and sound financial management.

Q7. In South Carolina, 'constructive eviction' occurs when:

A.The landlord files formal eviction paperwork
B.The landlord's neglect makes the property uninhabitable, forcing the tenant to leave
C.The tenant leaves without proper notice
D.The court orders the tenant to vacate

Explanation

Constructive eviction occurs when a landlord's actions or inactions make the premises uninhabitable, effectively forcing the tenant to leave. The tenant may be relieved of rent obligations.

Q8. A property manager in South Carolina must maintain tenant security deposits in:

A.The property management company's operating account
B.A separate, federally insured trust account
C.Cash in the property management office
D.The property owner's personal savings account

Explanation

Security deposits must be kept in a separate, federally insured trust account to protect tenant funds from commingling with operating funds. This is a fiduciary requirement.

Q9. A South Carolina tenant fails to pay rent. The landlord must provide what notice before filing for eviction?

A.Immediate eviction with no notice required
B.5-day notice to pay rent or vacate
C.10-day notice to pay rent or vacate
D.30-day notice to vacate

Explanation

Under South Carolina's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, a landlord must provide a 5-day written notice to pay rent or vacate before filing an eviction (ejectment) action for non-payment of rent.

Q10. Which of the following expenses would typically be included in a property management operating budget?

A.The property manager's personal vehicle
B.Mortgage principal payments
C.Maintenance, insurance, property taxes, and management fees
D.The owner's personal income taxes

Explanation

A property management operating budget includes operating expenses such as maintenance and repairs, insurance premiums, property taxes, utilities, and management fees. Debt service (mortgage) may be shown separately.

Q11. A South Carolina property management agreement is a contract between the:

A.Tenant and the property manager
B.Property owner and the property management company
🔒

90 more Property Management questions

Create a free account to unlock all 100 South Carolina Property Management questions with full explanations.

Free account · No credit card · Instant access to 25 questions

Ready to take the full exam? Start free.

25 free questions · No signup · Instant access to all South Carolina topics