North Carolina law

Landlord & Tenant Laws in North Carolina.

North Carolina landlord-tenant law includes statewide rules governing residential security deposits, the maximum deposit amount by lease term, the deadline for returning the deposit after a tenancy ends, and written itemization of deductions.

Last verified: 2026-04-07

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State law

Filing Requirements

Interim Accounting if Final Damages UnclearN.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-52

If the final amount of damages cannot be determined within 30 days, North Carolina allows the landlord to send an interim accounting within 30 days and a final accounting within 60 days after the tenancy ends.

State law

Key North Carolina Statutes

Security Deposit Return and Itemized StatementN.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-52

In North Carolina, a landlord generally must return the security deposit within 30 days after the tenancy ends, together with an itemized accounting of any lawful deductions. North Carolina also caps the amount of the security deposit based on the length of the tenancy.

Deposit Caps by Lease TermN.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-51

North Carolina generally limits the security deposit to two weeks’ rent for week-to-week tenancies, one and one-half months’ rent for month-to-month tenancies, and two months’ rent for longer tenancies.

State law

Official Sources

NC General Assembly — Security Deposit Act North Carolina Judicial Branch — Small Claims

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in North Carolina.

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