Short-Term Rentals in Litchfield & Pawleys: Rules, Reality and Resale

Rental rights are the single most misunderstood factor in Litchfield and Pawleys purchases, and the mistake is expensive.

The three layers of rules

1. County and state. Registration, accommodations tax and any zoning limits [verify with Georgetown County and the South Carolina Department of Revenue].
2. POA covenants. Often the strictest layer: minimum lease terms, caps on rental homes, guest-parking rules.
3. Rental program agreements. Resort-managed programs may carry their own terms and commission structures [verify].

Reality check on income

Pro-formas circulate that assume near-peak occupancy year-round. The South Strand has a real season. Model conservatively: off-season weeks, cleaning, management, insurance loading, HOA dues and maintenance on a coastal property [verify every input].

Effect on resale

• A property with documented, permitted rental history attracts a wider buyer pool
• A property marketed as a rental that cannot legally be rented is a lawsuit waiting to happen
• Furnished sales are common here — decide early whether furnishings convey [verify what is included in writing]

For sellers

If your home has rental history, gather the numbers: occupancy, gross income, expenses, and the platform reviews. A buyer evaluating income wants evidence, not estimates. And if the covenant restricts rentals, say so plainly — a deal that collapses in due diligence costs you weeks.

Thinking about buying or selling a rental property here? Let's check the covenant together before anything else.