Unsigned Lease

Depends on laws in your state. South Carolina recognizes a verbal lease. Even if you do not sign a lease renewal, paying rent after the initial lease expires is acceptance of the lease terms. SC also requires tenants to give their landlords a minimum 30-day notice to vacate and landlords five their tenants 30-day notice of non-renewal of the lease. Your lease could be different, read the terms. Ask yourself how you would feel if your landlord did not recognize a lease because you didn’t sign it and told you to move-out in 2 days. Or, require you to pay $100 more on rent than on the initial lease because you were not “locked-in” for another lease term because you didn’t sign it? Read your lease and check with your local Magistrate court for local laws. You could be charged and early termination fee if you do not give the minimum required notice on your lease.