N.C.G.S. § 42-52: North Carolina security deposit rules in plain English
What N.C.G.S. § 42-52 says about North Carolina security deposits: the cap, the deadline to return the deposit, itemized deductions and interest. Every fact below comes from our statute-checked data. Last verified 2026-10-22.
Quick answer
- Return deadline
- 30 days
- The landlord may extend to 60 days by sending an interim accounting.
- Maximum deposit
- 2 weeks' rent (week-to-week), 1.5 months (month-to-month), 2 months (longer terms).
- Itemized list
- Yes, an itemized list of deductions is required
- Interest
- Not stated in our verified data
What N.C.G.S. § 42-52 says, as we verified it
Deposit limit
2 weeks' rent (week-to-week), 1.5 months (month-to-month), 2 months (longer terms).
Full citation: N.C.G.S. §§ 42-51, 42-52 Read the official text
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FAQ: N.C.G.S. § 42-52
How long does a landlord have to return a deposit under N.C.G.S. § 42-52?
Under N.C.G.S. § 42-52, a North Carolina landlord has 30 days to return the security deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. The landlord may extend to 60 days by sending an interim accounting.
Is there a limit on the security deposit in North Carolina?
2 weeks' rent (week-to-week), 1.5 months (month-to-month), 2 months (longer terms).
Does North Carolina require an itemized list of deductions?
Yes, an itemized list of deductions is required. Citation: N.C.G.S. §§ 42-51, 42-52.
Does the landlord have to pay interest on the deposit in North Carolina?
Not stated in our verified data.
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Scan my North Carolina leaseGeneral information only, not legal advice. Last verified 2026-10-22. Laws change; verify with the linked source or a licensed attorney.