What Dial-Dunlap & Associates Does for Property Owners and Tenants in South Carolina

Dial-Dunlap & Associates manages residential and commercial properties across South Carolina, handling rent collection, maintenance coordination, tenant relations, and lease enforcement on behalf of property owners.

Dial-Dunlap & Associates is a property management company based in South Carolina that takes over day-to-day operations for landlords who own single properties or larger portfolios. The company collects rent, screens tenants, coordinates repairs, handles evictions when necessary, and manages the paperwork that comes with owning rental property. Property owners pay a fee—typically a percentage of monthly rent collected—in exchange for not having to manage these tasks themselves.

If you own rental property in South Carolina and want someone else to handle the business side, or if you are a tenant dealing with a landlord who uses Dial-Dunlap, understanding what the company does and how to contact them matters for getting things done quickly.

Key Takeaways

• Dial-Dunlap & Associates collects rent, screens tenants, coordinates maintenance, and enforces lease terms for property owners across South Carolina.
• Property owners pay the company a management fee, usually calculated as a percentage of the rent collected each month.
• Tenants dealing with a Dial-Dunlap-managed property should contact the company directly for maintenance requests, rent payment questions, or lease concerns rather than trying to reach the owner.
• The company handles eviction paperwork and court filings when a tenant breaks a lease or stops paying rent, following South Carolina law.
• You can reach Dial-Dunlap by phone or mail to ask about their services, discuss a property you own, or report an issue with a rental you occupy.

What Services Dial-Dunlap Provides to Property Owners

Dial-Dunlap takes on the operational work that landlords often find time-consuming or complicated. The company advertises vacant units, screens applicants (running background and credit checks), prepares leases, and collects rent each month. This means a property owner can own real estate without spending evenings chasing down late payments or fielding tenant complaints.

The company also coordinates maintenance and repairs. When a tenant reports a broken water heater or a leaking roof, Dial-Dunlap arranges contractors, tracks the work, and deducts costs from rent or bills the owner directly depending on the lease terms. They keep records of all repairs and maintenance, which protects the owner if a dispute arises later about the property's condition.

Dial-Dunlap also handles lease enforcement. If a tenant violates the lease—by not paying rent, keeping an unauthorized pet, or damaging the property—the company documents the violation, sends notices, and if necessary, files eviction paperwork with the court. South Carolina eviction law requires specific steps and timelines; a property management company knows those rules and follows them to avoid delays or dismissals.

How Dial-Dunlap Works With Tenants

If you rent a property managed by Dial-Dunlap, the company is your main point of contact for most issues. You pay rent to Dial-Dunlap (not directly to the owner), report maintenance problems to Dial-Dunlap, and send lease-related questions to Dial-Dunlap. The owner is in the background; Dial-Dunlap is the face of the landlord from your perspective.

This arrangement can actually work in a tenant's favor. A professional management company has systems for tracking rent payments, responding to maintenance requests, and following the law. A property owner managing their own rental might be slower to fix problems or less organized about documenting payments. Dial-Dunlap's job depends on keeping tenants reasonably satisfied and the property in good condition, so they have incentive to respond promptly.

That said, if you have a serious dispute—such as a disagreement about your security deposit, a refusal to make major repairs, or an eviction notice—you still have the same legal rights you would have with any landlord. South Carolina tenant law applies whether your landlord is an individual or a management company. You can file a complaint with your local housing authority, contact a legal aid organization, or consult a tenant rights attorney.

Fees and What Property Owners Pay

Dial-Dunlap charges property owners a management fee, which is usually a percentage of the monthly rent collected—often between 8 and 12 percent, though the exact rate depends on the property type, location, and services included. Some companies also charge additional fees for tenant screening, lease preparation, or eviction filing, so owners should ask for a full fee schedule before signing a management agreement.

Property owners also remain responsible for property taxes, insurance, and major capital improvements (like replacing a roof). Dial-Dunlap's fee covers the labor of managing the property, not the cost of owning it. The company may also charge a setup fee when taking on a new property and a lease-up fee if the property is vacant when management begins.

How to Contact Dial-Dunlap & Associates

Dial-Dunlap & Associates has offices in South Carolina. To reach the company, you can call their main phone line or send mail to their office address. If you are a property owner interested in having them manage your rental, you can request a consultation to discuss your property and get a quote. If you are a tenant, you can call or visit in person to pay rent, report a maintenance issue, or ask about your lease.

When you contact them, have your property address and lease information ready. If you are reporting a maintenance emergency (such as no heat in winter or a burst pipe), ask whether they have an after-hours emergency line, as some property management companies do.

South Carolina Property Management Law and Your Rights

South Carolina law requires property managers to follow specific rules. Owners must provide tenants with the manager's contact information in writing, and managers must respond to maintenance requests within a reasonable time. Security deposits must be held in a separate account and returned within 30 days of move-out, with an itemized list of any deductions.

If Dial-Dunlap files an eviction on behalf of the owner, South Carolina law requires proper notice to the tenant (usually three days for non-payment of rent) and a court hearing before the eviction can proceed. A tenant has the right to appear in court and defend themselves. If you receive an eviction notice, you can contact a legal aid organization or tenant rights group in your county for guidance on your options.

Property owners using Dial-Dunlap should understand that the management company acts as their agent. The owner remains legally responsible for the property and for following landlord-tenant law, even though Dial-Dunlap handles the day-to-day work.

Alternatives to Using a Property Management Company

Some property owners manage their rentals themselves to avoid paying a management fee. Self-management means handling tenant screening, rent collection, maintenance coordination, and evictions on your own. This saves money but requires time, knowledge of South Carolina landlord-tenant law, and the ability to stay organized with multiple tasks.

Other owners use a hybrid approach: they handle tenant relations and maintenance but hire a company like Dial-Dunlap just for rent collection and accounting. Some use a real estate agent to find tenants and then manage the property themselves after that. The right choice depends on how many properties you own, how much time you have, and how comfortable you are with legal and financial details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use Dial-Dunlap if my landlord does?

No. Dial-Dunlap manages the property on behalf of the owner, but you have the same tenant rights you would have with any landlord. If you have a dispute about repairs, rent, or your security deposit, you can contact your local housing authority, a legal aid organization, or a tenant rights attorney, regardless of whether a management company is involved.

What happens if Dial-Dunlap files an eviction against me?

You will receive a notice (usually three days for non-payment of rent) and then a court summons. You have the right to appear in court and present your side. You can pay the rent owed, work out a payment plan, or defend yourself if you believe the eviction is improper. Contact a legal aid organization or tenant rights group in your county for guidance on your options before the court date.

Can I pay rent directly to the property owner instead of Dial-Dunlap?

No. Your lease specifies where to send rent, and if Dial-Dunlap is managing the property, rent goes to them. Paying the owner directly does not count as paying your rent and could put you in violation of your lease. Always pay to the address listed in your lease or on your rent notice.

How long does it take Dial-Dunlap to fix a maintenance problem?

South Carolina law requires landlords to make repairs within a reasonable time. For emergencies (no heat, no water, electrical hazards), "reasonable" is usually a few days. For non-emergencies, it may be longer. If Dial-Dunlap is slow to respond, document your requests in writing and consider contacting your local housing authority if the delay violates the lease or state law.

What should I ask Dial-Dunlap about before signing a management agreement?

Ask for a complete fee schedule (management fee, screening fees, lease prep, eviction filing, and any other charges), the response time for maintenance requests, how they handle security deposits, what happens if a tenant does not pay rent, and whether they carry liability insurance. Get everything in writing before you sign.