North Carolina landlord-tenant law
Security deposits, late fees and notice periods for North Carolina landlords, in plain English, with a link to the statute for each rule.
Security deposit limit
2 weeks' rent for week-to-week tenancies, 1½ months for month-to-month, 2 months for longer terms.
Deposit return deadline
30 days after the tenancy ends (up to 60 days if the landlord's claim can't be finalized in 30, with an interim accounting).
Late fees
Only after rent is 5 days late. Capped at $15 or 5% of monthly rent, whichever is greater.
Notice for unpaid rent
10-day written demand for payment before filing for eviction.
Ending a month-to-month lease
7 days' notice.
Rent increases
No state rent control (preempted). Follow the lease.
Sources
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-51 (deposits)
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-46 (late fees)
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-14 (notice to quit)
Tools for North Carolina landlords
Rent increase calculator
New rent plus North Carolina notice rules.
Prorated rent
Partial-month rent for move-ins and move-outs.
Rental property calculator
Cash flow, cap rate and cash-on-cash return.
North Carolina housing market
Typical home $332K, median city rent $1,706/mo.
Charlotte, NC
$381K home$1,735 rent5.5% yield
▼ 0.8% 1 yr
Raleigh, NC
$428K home$1,669 rent4.7% yield
▼ 1.7% 1 yr
Greensboro, NC
$261K home$1,406 rent6.5% yield
▲ 0.8% 1 yr
Winston, NC
$278K home$1,529 rent6.6% yield
▲ 1.7% 1 yr
Durham, NC
$402K home$1,640 rent4.9% yield
▼ 2.5% 1 yr
Fayetteville, NC
$254K home$1,454 rent6.9% yield
▲ 0.3% 1 yr
Asheville, NC
$416K home$1,702 rent4.9% yield
▼ 3.3% 1 yr
Hickory, NC
$267K home$1,595 rent7.2% yield
▲ 1.7% 1 yr
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities and counties can add their own rules. Check the statute or a local attorney before acting.