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

Mebane's tenant complaint process runs entirely through Sec. 6-149 of the Minimum Housing Code. A preliminary investigation opens in one of three ways: a petition from a public authority, a written letter of complaint filed by the occupant or by two residents together, or the inspector's own determination that grounds for investigation exist, so a single tenant acting alone can start the process by putting a complaint in writing. If that preliminary look turns up a violation of the article's minimum standards, Sec. 6-149(b) requires the inspector to serve the owner and any other party in interest with a formal complaint and schedule a hearing at least ten but no more than 30 days later.

At the hearing described in subsection (c), the owner or any party in interest may file a written answer, appear in person, and give testimony, and at least one person who signed the original petition must also be notified of the hearing and may attend to give evidence; the inspector is not bound by the formal rules of evidence used in court. Sec. 6-149(d) gives a separate path to a landlord: if an owner or agent files a written request, the inspector must inspect the dwelling and give both owner and tenant a written report of the findings.

After the hearing, the inspector issues written findings and, if the dwelling is unfit, an order under subsection (e) requiring repair, alteration, vacating or demolition within a set deadline.