LegalCals

North Carolina Security Deposit Rules

Official deposit limits, return deadlines, and legal citations for this state.

Deposit Requirements

Maximum Deposit
2 weeks' rent (week-to-week); 1.5 months' rent (month-to-month); 2 months' rent (> 2 months)
Return Deadline
30 days (60 days if dispute over deductions)
Itemized Statement Required
Yes
Interest Required
No
Pet Deposit Rules
Reasonable non-refundable pet fee allowed (no specific limit).
Allowed Deductions
Damage beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid rent, unpaid utilities, breach of lease, court costs, costs of removing possessions after eviction, and re-renting costs after breach.

Security Deposit Timeline

  1. Maximum Deposit

    2 weeks' rent (week-to-week); 1.5 months' rent (month-to-month); 2 months' rent (> 2 months)

  2. Return Deadline

    30 days (60 days if dispute over deductions)

  3. Itemized Statement

    Yes

  4. Interest Required

    No

  5. Pet Deposit Rules

    Reasonable non-refundable pet fee allowed (no specific limit).

  6. Allowed Deductions

    Damage beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid rent, unpaid utilities, breach of lease, court costs, costs of removing possessions after eviction, and re-renting costs after breach.

Legal Citations

  • N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-52