This chapter does not apply to forfeited reservation deposits. For purposes of this chapter, the term "reservation deposit" means an amount of money paid to a business association to guarantee that the business association holds a specific service including, but not limited to, a room accommodation at a hotel, a vacation rental, seating at a restaurant, or an appointment with a doctor, for a specified date and place. The term "reservation deposit" does not include an application fee, a utility deposit, or a deposit made toward the purchase of real property.
S.C. Code § 27-18-175