North Carolina Security Deposit Laws
North Carolina sets security deposit limits based on the type of tenancy — up to 1.5 months for month-to-month leases and up to 2 months for fixed-term leases.
Key Rules
- Limit
- Up to 1.5 months rent (month-to-month); up to 2 months rent (term lease)
- Return Deadline
- 30 days (or 60 days if damage is extensive) after tenant vacates
- Itemization Required
- Yes — written itemized statement of deductions required
- Interest Required
- No
- Bad Faith Penalty
- Tenant may recover deposit in full plus reasonable attorney's fees for bad-faith withholding
Some citations below have not been confirmed against their official source. Confirm current requirements with local legal aid or an attorney.
Applicable Statutes
Security deposit limits by unit type: week-to-week tenancy — 2 weeks rent; month-to-month — 1.5 months rent; longer term leases — 2 months rent maximum.
Not confirmed against its source · checked
Return of security deposit: landlord must return deposit within 30 days (60 days if damage is extensive) with itemized statement of deductions.
Not confirmed against its source · checked
Legal Aid Resources
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