Tenant Rulebook
General information from state law and official guides, not legal advice. Cities and counties can add their own rules.

All states

Landlord and tenant rules in North Carolina

The statewide rules on deposits, notice, entry and rent in North Carolina, mainly from the North Carolina General Statutes chapter 42 (Landlord and Tenant), including the Tenant Security Deposit Act (Article 6). Checked 29 October 2026.

Security deposits and fees

Security deposit limit

1.5 months' rent for month-to-month1N.C. Gen. Stat. 42-51(b)

Deposits are capped at two weeks' rent for week-to-week tenancies, one and a half months' rent for month-to-month and two months' rent for longer terms.

Deposit return deadline

30 days (up to 60 days with interim accounting)1N.C. Gen. Stat. 42-52

The landlord must refund the deposit, with an itemized list of damages, within 30 days after the tenancy ends. If damages cannot be worked out in time, an interim accounting is due within 30 days and a final one within 60 days.

Interest on deposits

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Late fees

After 5 days, the greater of $15 or 5%2N.C. Gen. Stat. 42-46

A late fee can be charged only once rent is five days late, and for monthly rent it may not exceed $15 or 5% of the rent, whichever is greater. Only one fee per late payment is allowed.

Notice, entry and rent

Tenant ending a month-to-month tenancy

7 days2N.C. Gen. Stat. 42-14

Either side can end a month-to-month tenancy with seven days' notice. Week-to-week tenancies need two days.

Landlord ending a month-to-month tenancy

7 days2N.C. Gen. Stat. 42-14

A landlord must give the same seven days' notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. Manufactured home spaces need 60 days.

Notice of a rent increase

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Statewide rent limits

None statewide, counties and cities barred by law2N.C. Gen. Stat. 42-14.1

North Carolina counties and cities may not pass or enforce rules that regulate rent on private rental property, with a few listed exceptions.

Landlord entry

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Notice for unpaid rent

10 days2N.C. Gen. Stat. 42-3

If rent is unpaid, the lease can be ended when the tenant does not pay within 10 days after the landlord demands the past-due rent.

Many cities and counties add their own rules, such as rent stabilization or longer notice periods, and a lease can give a tenant more protection than the law requires. Check your local housing office or a legal aid group before you act.

Sources

  1. N.C. General Statutes chapter 42, article 6 (PDF), North Carolina General Assemblyofficial
  2. N.C. General Statutes chapter 42 (PDF), North Carolina General Assemblyofficial

"Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read.