How Matthews Handles Rental Property Rules: A Practical Guide

Every city handles rental property rules a little differently. In Matthews, North Carolina, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Just Cause Eviction

Matthews follows North Carolina landlord-tenant law with no local just-cause eviction requirement. Landlords may decline to renew leases or terminate month-to-month tenancies with proper notice under state law.

Key details: Local Rule: None - state law controls. State Law: N.C.G.S. Chapter 42. Notice: 7 days month-to-month. Court: Mecklenburg Small Claims.

Improper self-help eviction (lockouts, utility shutoffs) prohibited under N.C.G.S. 42-25.6 and 42-25.9. Tenants may recover actual damages plus attorney fees.

The rules around just cause eviction in Matthews lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Rent Control

North Carolina prohibits local rent control under NCGS 42-14.1. Matthews cannot cap rental rates or impose rent stabilization. Landlord-tenant relations governed by the NC Residential Rental Agreements Act (NCGS 42-42).

Key details: Preemption: NCGS 42-14.1. Rent control: Prohibited statewide since 1987. Security deposit cap: 2 months rent (NCGS 42-51). Late fee cap: 15 dollars or 5 percent. Governing act: NCGS 42-42 RRAA.

Any local Matthews ordinance attempting to regulate rental rates would be void and unenforceable under NCGS 42-14.1. Landlord violations of NCGS 42-42 actionable through Mecklenburg County Small Claims Court or District Court.

Matthews is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rent control. That said, there are still limits.

Rental Registration

Matthews does not require rental property registration for long-term rentals. North Carolina N.C.G.S. 160A-424(c) restricts cities from mandating rental registration without probable cause of code violations.

Key details: Registration: Not required. State Limit: N.C.G.S. 160A-424. Inspections: Complaint-driven. STR: Separate zoning rules.

Code enforcement handles complaint-driven inspections. Housing code violations subject to civil penalties under Town Code Chapter 50.

Matthews is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rental registration. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Matthews gives residents more room on rental property rules. 3 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Matthews's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.