North Carolina landlord deadlines

If you cannot work out the deposit claim in 30 days: send an interim accounting by day 30 and a final accounting within 60 days Verified

Deadline: Within 60 days after move-out

If the amount of your claim against the deposit cannot be determined within 30 days, send the tenant an interim accounting no later than 30 days after the tenancy ends and possession is returned, then a final accounting within 60 days.

Applies to: any number of units, when you hold a security deposit · Layer: North Carolina · Topic: Security deposit return

"If the extent of the landlord's claim against the security deposit cannot be determined within 30 days, the landlord shall provide the tenant with an interim accounting ... and shall provide a final accounting within 60 days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession of the premises to the landlord."
ncleg.gov

Notes: N.C. Gen. Stat. 42-52.

Last verified 2026-10-23 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

Itemize damage and return the deposit balance within 30 days after the tenancy ends and you get possession back Verified

Deadline: Within 30 days after move-out

Within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the unit is handed back, mail or deliver a written itemization of any damage along with the rest of the security deposit. Deposits are capped at two weeks' rent for week-to-week tenancies, one and a half months' rent for month-to-month tenancies, and two months' rent for longer terms.

Applies to: any number of units, when you hold a security deposit · Layer: North Carolina · Topic: Security deposit return

"In either case the landlord in writing shall itemize any damage and mail or deliver same to the tenant, together with the balance of the security deposit, no later than 30 days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession of the premises to the landlord."
ncleg.gov

"The security deposit shall not exceed an amount equal to two weeks' rent if a tenancy is week to week, one and one-half months' rent if a tenancy is month to month, and two months' rent for terms greater than month to month."
ncleg.gov

Notes: N.C. Gen. Stat. 42-52 and 42-51(b) (Tenant Security Deposit Act).

Last verified 2026-10-23 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

Within 30 days after the lease starts: tell the tenant where the deposit is held (bank or bond company) Verified

Deadline: Within 30 days after the lease starts

Within 30 days after the lease term begins, give the tenant the name and address of the bank or institution holding the security deposit in trust, or the name of the insurance company providing the bond.

Applies to: any number of units, when you hold a security deposit · Layer: North Carolina · Topic: Deposit receipts and bank notices

"The landlord or the landlord's agent shall notify the tenant within 30 days after the beginning of the lease term of the name and address of the bank or institution where the tenant's deposit is currently located or the name of the insurance company providing the bond."
ncleg.gov

Notes: N.C. Gen. Stat. 42-50. Deposits must be held in a trust account with a licensed and insured North Carolina bank or savings institution, or covered by a bond.

Last verified 2026-10-23 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

At the start of every tenancy: smoke and CO alarms working, with new batteries Verified

Deadline: When the lease starts

Make sure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are operable and in good repair at the beginning of each tenancy, and put new batteries in battery-operated alarms (unless you and the tenant agree otherwise in writing). Tenants replace batteries during the tenancy.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: North Carolina · Topic: Smoke and CO alarms

"The landlord shall ensure that a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm are operable and in good repair at the beginning of each tenancy."
ncleg.gov

"Unless the landlord and the tenant have a written agreement to the contrary, the landlord shall place new batteries in a battery-operated smoke alarm at the beginning of a tenancy"
ncleg.gov

Notes: N.C. Gen. Stat. 42-42(a)(5) and (7). CO alarms are required where the unit has a fossil-fuel heater, appliance, fireplace or attached garage.

Last verified 2026-10-23 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

Within 15 days after written notice from the tenant: repair or replace a smoke or CO alarm Verified

Deadline: Within 15 days after the tenant notifies you in writing that an alarm needs repair or replacement

If the tenant tells you in writing that a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm needs replacing or repairing, fix or replace it within 15 days.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: North Carolina · Topic: Smoke and CO alarms

"The landlord shall replace or repair the smoke alarms within 15 days of receipt of notification if the landlord is notified of needed replacement or repairs in writing by the tenant."
ncleg.gov

"The landlord shall replace or repair the carbon monoxide alarms within 15 days of receipt of notification if the landlord is notified of needed replacement or repairs in writing by the tenant."
ncleg.gov

Notes: N.C. Gen. Stat. 42-42(a)(5) and (7).

Last verified 2026-10-23 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

Before ending a lease for unpaid rent: make a demand and allow 10 days to pay Verified

Deadline: At least 10 days after demanding all past-due rent (unless the lease provides otherwise)

When rent is unpaid, a lease is forfeited only if the tenant fails to pay within 10 days after you (or your agent) demand all past-due rent. Allow the full 10 days before treating the lease as ended.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: North Carolina · Topic: Non-renewal and termination notice

"there shall be implied a forfeiture of the term upon failure to pay the rent within 10 days after a demand is made by the lessor or his agent on said lessee for all past-due rent"
ncleg.gov

Notes: N.C. Gen. Stat. 42-3.

Last verified 2026-10-23 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

End a periodic tenancy with notice: 7 days for month-to-month, 2 days for week-to-week, one month for year-to-year Verified

Deadline: At least 7 days before the lease ends (7 days for month-to-month tenancy; 2 days for week-to-week tenancy; 31 days for year-to-year (one month or more) tenancy)

To end a periodic tenancy, give a notice to quit before the end of the current period: at least seven days for a month-to-month tenancy, two days for week-to-week, and one month or more before the end of the current year for year-to-year. A fixed-term lease ends on its own date unless the lease requires notice.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: North Carolina · Topic: Non-renewal and termination notice

"A tenancy from year to year may be terminated by a notice to quit given one month or more before the end of the current year of the tenancy; a tenancy from month to month by a like notice of seven days; a tenancy from week to week, of two days."
ncleg.gov

Notes: N.C. Gen. Stat. 42-14. The year-to-year variant uses 31 days for 'one month or more'; leases may require longer notice.

Last verified 2026-10-23 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

Within 72 hours of a protected tenant's request: change the locks (or allow the tenant to) Verified

Deadline: Within 72 hours after a protected tenant asks for the locks to be changed

When a tenant protected by a domestic violence or similar protective order asks for the locks to be changed, change the locks or give the tenant permission to change them within 72 hours.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: North Carolina · Topic: Appliances and locks

"A landlord who receives a request under this subsection shall change the locks to the protected tenant's dwelling unit or give the protected tenant permission to change the locks within 72 hours."
ncleg.gov

Notes: N.C. Gen. Stat. 42-42.3.

Last verified 2026-10-23 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction