What option does a tenant have if the landlord does not provide essential services after being notified?

The option for a tenant to terminate the lease after 14 days is rooted in the legal framework designed to protect tenants’ rights when a landlord fails to provide essential services. Essential services typically include utilities such as water, electricity, and heat, which are crucial for the habitability of a rental unit.

Under South Carolina law, when a landlord is notified of a failure to provide these essential services, they are generally given a reasonable period of time to address the issue. If the landlord does not rectify the situation within that 14-day timeframe, the tenant is legally empowered to terminate the lease. This provision ensures that tenants have a measure of recourse in instances where their living conditions are compromised due to the landlord's neglect.

This approach balances the rights of tenants to live in a habitable home with the responsibilities of landlords to maintain their properties. By establishing a specific timeframe for remediation before a tenant can terminate the lease, it encourages landlords to respond promptly to maintenance issues while also providing tenants with a clear path to resolve disputes effectively.

Other options, while they might be relevant in different contexts, do not align with the specific legal provisions related to terminating a lease due to the lack of essential services following proper notification.