North Carolina caps a residential security deposit by tenancy length under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-51: two weeks' rent for week-to-week, one and one-half months' rent for month-to-month, and two months' rent for longer terms. The landlord must itemize any damages in writing and refund the balance within 30 days (up to 60 days if the claim isn't yet determined), or forfeit the right to keep any of it.
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-51(b), a deposit "shall not exceed an amount equal to two weeks' rent if a tenancy is week to week, one and one-half months' rent if a tenancy is month to month, and two months' rent for terms greater than month to month." Section 42-52 requires the landlord, within 30 days after termination and delivery of possession, to refund the balance and "in writing shall itemize any damage." If the claim cannot be determined within 30 days, the landlord must give an interim accounting at 30 days and a final accounting within 60 days. Permitted deductions under § 42-51(a) include unpaid rent, utility costs, damage beyond normal wear and tear, re-renting costs, and court costs. Landlords may not deduct for normal wear and tear.
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-55, a landlord's willful failure to meet the deposit, bond, or notice requirements "shall void the landlord's right to retain any portion of the tenant's security deposit." The tenant may sue to recover the balance plus damages, and a court finding willful noncompliance may award attorney's fees as costs.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Durham, NC
Durham caps daytime sound at 60 dBA (8 AM to 11 PM) and nighttime sound at 50 dBA (11 PM to 8 AM) under Ch. 26, Sec. 26-23. Measured at property line using A...
Durham, NC
Durham UDO Section 9.9 limits residential fences to 4 feet in front yards and 8 feet in side and rear yards. Corner lots face additional restrictions along s...
Durham, NC
Durham does not require a permit for most residential fences or walls. Permits are required for retaining walls, pool barriers on single-family parcels, prop...
Durham, NC
Durham UDO Section 9.9 sets general fence standards including setbacks, orientation, and vision-clearance rules. Fences between structures and streets within...
Durham, NC
Durham requires a building permit for all retaining walls. Retaining walls over 4 feet at street frontage must be terraced in Design Districts. Walls over 8 ...
Durham, NC
Durham UDO 9.9 prohibits razor wire, concertina wire, and barbed wire in residential districts. Uncoated chain link is banned in CI and Design Districts.
See how Durham's security deposit rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.