Winston-Salem, NC Rental Property Rules: Just Cause Eviction (2026)
Just cause eviction rules in Winston-Salem, NC, sometimes called tenant protection or "for cause" eviction ordinances, list the specific legal reasons a landlord can end a tenancy.
Key Facts
- Local Rule
- None - NCGS 42 controls
- Nonpayment Notice
- 10 days (NCGS 42-3)
- Month-to-Month
- 30 days notice required
- Venue
- Forsyth County Small Claims
- Self-Help
- Prohibited (NCGS 42-25.9)
Summary
Winston-Salem has no just-cause eviction ordinance. North Carolina is a landlord-friendly state where evictions follow NCGS Chapter 42 (Landlord and Tenant) statewide rules. Landlords may decline to renew leases without stating a cause once the lease term ends.
Any tenant or lessee of any house or land, and the assigns under the tenant or legal representatives of such tenant or lessee, who holds over and continues in the possession of the demised premises, or any part thereof, without the permission of the landlord, and after demand made for its surrender, may be removed from such premises in the manner hereinafter prescribed in any of the following cases: (1) When a tenant in possession of real estate holds over after his term has expired. (2) When the tenant or lessee, or other person under him, has done or omitted any act by which, according to the stipulations of the lease, his estate has ceased. (3) When any tenant or lessee of lands or tenements, who is in arrear for rent or has agreed to cultivate the demised premises and to pay a part of the crop to be made thereon as rent, or who has given to the lessor a lien on such crop as a security for the rent, deserts the demised premises, and leaves them unoccupied and uncultivated. (b) An arrearage in costs owed by a tenant for water or sewer services pursuant to G.S. 62-110(g) or electric service pursuant to G.S. 62-110(h) shall not be used as a basis for termination of a lease under this Chapter.
Full Breakdown
North Carolina does not authorize municipalities to impose just-cause eviction requirements, and Winston-Salem has not attempted to adopt such a rule. Eviction proceedings are governed by NCGS Chapter 42, Article 3 (Summary Ejectment). Landlords must provide 10 days written notice for nonpayment of rent (NCGS 42-3), 7 days notice for week-to-week tenancies, or 30 days notice for month-to-month tenancies terminating at the end of a rental period. Summary ejectment cases are filed in Forsyth County Small Claims Court before a magistrate. Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities) is prohibited under NCGS 42-25.6 through 42-25.9 and exposes landlords to treble damages. Tenants have 10 days to appeal a magistrate judgment to District Court. The NC Residential Rental Agreements Act (NCGS 42-38 et seq.) sets statewide standards that cannot be altered by municipal ordinance.
Violations & Fines
Illegal self-help eviction (lockouts, utility shutoffs, removal of belongings) under NCGS 42-25.9 can trigger actual damages plus reasonable attorney fees. Wrongful retention of security deposits beyond 30 days violates NCGS 42-52.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my Winston-Salem landlord refuse to renew my lease without a reason?
How long does an eviction take in Winston-Salem?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winston-Salem
Compare Winston-Salem to another location·View the North Carolina rental property rules overview
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