How TCwithHART Helps Tenants and Landlords Navigate Housing Disputes

What TCwithHART Does

TCwithHART is a mediation program run by South Carolina's Department of Housing, Community and Economic Development that brings tenants and landlords together to resolve disputes before they reach court. The program is free, confidential, and staffed by trained mediators who help both sides understand each other's position and find common ground on issues like unpaid rent, lease violations, maintenance problems, or eviction threats.

The program operates in multiple counties across South Carolina and handles cases that have not yet been filed in court. If you are facing a housing conflict—whether you are a tenant worried about losing your home or a landlord dealing with a non-paying renter—TCwithHART offers a faster, less adversarial path than litigation.

Key Takeaways

• TCwithHART is a free mediation service that helps tenants and landlords resolve disputes without going to court.
• The program works only on cases that have not yet been filed in court; once a lawsuit begins, you will need to work through the court system.
• Both the tenant and the landlord must agree to participate, and the process is confidential—nothing said in mediation can be used as evidence later.
• Mediators do not make decisions for you; they help you and the other party communicate and negotiate a settlement you both can live with.

How the Mediation Process Works

When you contact TCwithHART, staff will ask you to describe the dispute and confirm that the other party has not yet filed a court case. If the case is already in court, the program cannot help, and you will need to work with an attorney or the court system instead.

If your case qualifies, TCwithHART will reach out to the other party—the landlord if you are a tenant, or the tenant if you are a landlord—and ask them to participate. Both sides must agree to mediation. If they do, you will be scheduled for a session, usually within a few weeks. The mediator will meet with both of you, either together or in separate rooms, to understand the problem and explore possible solutions. The goal is to reach an agreement that both sides can sign.

The entire process is confidential. Anything you say during mediation stays in the mediation room and cannot be used against you in court if the dispute is not resolved and a lawsuit does happen later.

Who Can Use TCwithHART

TCwithHART serves both tenants and landlords in counties where the program operates. You do not need to own property or have a lawyer to participate. The program is designed for disputes involving residential rental housing—apartments, houses, mobile homes, or other rental units where someone lives.

You must contact the program before a court case is filed. Once an eviction lawsuit or other housing case has been filed in court, TCwithHART cannot intervene, and you will need to work through the court or hire legal representation.

Common Disputes TCwithHART Handles

The program addresses a wide range of housing conflicts. Tenants often seek mediation over maintenance issues—broken heating, plumbing problems, pest infestations, or other conditions that make the unit unsafe or uninhabitable. Landlords frequently use mediation to address unpaid rent, lease violations, property damage, or noise complaints.

Other disputes include disagreements over security deposit deductions, lease renewal terms, requests for repairs that the landlord has ignored, or situations where a tenant has received an eviction notice but wants to try to resolve the issue before court. Mediation works best when both sides want to find a solution rather than escalate to litigation.

Finding TCwithHART in Your County

TCwithHART operates in select counties across South Carolina. To learn about the program serves your area, contact the South Carolina Department of Housing, Community and Economic Development or search for "TCwithHART" plus your county name online. You can also ask your local legal aid office or tenant rights organization—they often know which counties have active mediation programs.

When you contact the program, have your lease available and be ready to explain the dispute clearly and briefly. If you are a tenant, know your landlord's name and contact information. If you are a landlord, have the tenant's name and the property address ready. The intake staff will tell you whether your case qualifies and what happens next.

What Happens If Mediation Succeeds

If you and the other party reach an agreement during mediation, you will sign a settlement document that outlines what each side has agreed to do. This agreement is binding—both the tenant and the landlord are expected to follow it. If one side breaks the agreement later, the other party may have grounds to pursue legal action based on the signed settlement.

A successful mediation means you avoid court costs, attorney fees, and the time and stress of litigation. It also means you have a written record of what was agreed to, which protects both sides.

What Happens If Mediation Does Not Resolve the Dispute

If you and the other party cannot reach an agreement, mediation ends, and you are free to pursue other options. For tenants, this might mean seeking legal aid, contacting a tenant rights organization, or preparing to defend an eviction case in court. For landlords, it might mean filing an eviction case or pursuing a claim for unpaid rent through the court system.

Because mediation is confidential, nothing you said during the process can be used against you in court. You start fresh if the case goes to litigation, and the mediator will not testify or share details about what happened in the mediation room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to use TCwithHART?

No. TCwithHART is designed for people without legal representation. You can bring a lawyer if you want to, but it is not required. Many people handle mediation on their own with the mediator's help.

What if the other party refuses to participate in mediation?

If the landlord or tenant will not agree to mediation, TCwithHART cannot proceed. You would then need to explore other options, such as small claims court, legal aid, or hiring an attorney.

Will the mediator take my side?

No. The mediator is neutral and does not decide who is right or wrong. Their job is to help both sides communicate and find a solution you both can accept. They do not make rulings or judgments.

How long does mediation take?

A single mediation session usually lasts one to three hours. Some disputes are resolved in one session; others may require a follow-up meeting. The program will give you a timeline when you contact them.

What if I have already received an eviction notice?

You can still contact TCwithHART if no court case has been filed yet. If the landlord has filed an eviction lawsuit, you will need to work through the court system, though you may still be able to negotiate with the landlord outside of mediation.