Eviction Shouldn’t Be a Life Sentence
In South Carolina, an eviction filing becomes public record the moment it’s filed, even if the tenant was never evicted, won their case, or paid the balance and stayed in their home.
That filing can follow people for life.
Landlords and property managers use eviction filings to screen tenants, often without any context. Many companies rely on automated screening systems and AI tools that instantly deny anyone with an eviction filing in their history.
No explanation.
No second chance.
This system locks families out of housing, forces people into unsafe or overpriced rentals, and pushes too many South Carolinians into instability, displacement, and houselessness.
We can do better.
The Numbers Are Clear
South Carolina has one of the highest eviction filing rates in the nation.
- Between June 2024 and June 2025, Greenville had a 20% eviction filing rate
- Charleston saw more than 10,500 eviction filings during that same period
- Since March 2020, there have been over 593,000 eviction filings statewide
- Black women, especially mothers, are disproportionately impacted
This is not about personal failure.
This is policy-driven harm, and we have the power to change it.
The Momentum Is Growing
H.4270, the Eviction Record Sealing Bill, has now passed through the South Carolina House of Representatives and is headed to the Senate.
This is a major victory, and it happened because tenants and supporters across the state organized.
- People made calls.
- Sent emails.
- Showed up to the State House.
- Met with lawmakers face-to-face.
Organizing got us this far.
Now we must carry this fight through the Senate.
What the Bill Would Do
It would give renters a fair chance at stable housing.
The bill would:
- Allow eviction records to be sealed after five years
- Prevent a one-time crisis from becoming a permanent barrier
- Help thousands of South Carolina families access safe, stable homes
This is a bipartisan, common-sense bill that balances fairness with accountability.
What We Need Now
The Senate is our final major hurdle.
We need Senators to support the House version of H.4270 as passed with no weakening amendments.
That means we need South Carolinians to contact their Senators RIGHT NOW and ask them to:
- Support H.4270 as passed by the House
- Preserve the 5-year eviction record sealing timeline
- Oppose any amendments that weaken the bill
- Help move the bill quickly through the Senate
The next two weeks will be critical.
If the Senate delays, weakens, or stalls this bill, thousands of families will continue paying the price.
Your Voice Matters
When legislators hear directly from constituents, it changes votes.
We’ve made it easy.
Click the button below to email your State Senator now.
Tell them:
Support H.4270 as passed by the House. No weakening amendments. Pass eviction record sealing now.
Because eviction should never be a life sentence.