North Carolina Tenant Harassment Laws
North Carolina prohibits self-help evictions under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-25.9[ not confirmed ] — landlords may not change locks, remove belongings, or cut utilities without a court order.
Key Rules
- Self Help Prohibited
- Yes — removing belongings, changing locks, cutting utilities without court order all prohibited
- Retaliation Prohibited
- Yes — retaliatory eviction after tenant complains to housing authorities is prohibited
- Remedies
- Actual damages plus attorney's fees for self-help eviction; 3 months rent or actual damages for retaliation
- Penalty
- 3 months rent statutory damages available for self-help eviction
Some citations below have not been confirmed against their official source. Confirm current requirements with local legal aid or an attorney.
Applicable Statutes
Prohibition on retaliatory eviction and landlord retaliation: landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting housing code violations to authorities.
Not confirmed against its source · checked
Self-help eviction prohibited: landlord may not remove tenant's belongings, change locks, or cut off utilities to force tenant to vacate without court order.
Not confirmed against its source · checked
Legal Aid Resources
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