Cary, NC Rental Inspections: Tenant Complaint Process (2026)

On the inspectors own motion, on request of any public authority, or upon receipt of a petition signed by any five residents of the town alleging that any housing is unfit for human habitation, the inspector shall undertake a preliminary investigation of the premises. If the inspector's preliminary investigation discloses a basis for such charges, the inspector shall issue a complaint stating the charges and containing a notice that a hearing will be held before the inspector or the inspector's designated agent at a place within the county in which the property is located, not less than ten nor more than 30 days after the serving of the complaint. The inspector shall serve the complaint and notice upon the owner of, and parties in interest in, such housing. The owner and any party in interest shall have the right to file an answer to the complaint and to appear in person, or otherwise, and give testimony at the place and time fixed in the complaint. The rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law or equity shall not be controlling in hearings before the inspector.

(b)   Issuance of order after hearing. If, after such notice and hearing, the inspector shall determine that the housing under consideration is unfit for human habitation under the terms of this article, the inspector shall state in writing his findings of fact in support of that determination and shall issue and cause to be served upon the owner thereof an order. If any party in