What are North Carolina's security deposit limits?

Week-to-week: 2 weeks' rent. Month-to-month: 1.5 months' rent. Longer leases: 2 months' rent.

How must a NC landlord hold security deposits?

In a trust account at a licensed and insured bank or savings institution in North Carolina.

Lease Agreement for North Carolina

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North Carolina legal context

North Carolina's Tenant Security Deposit Act governs security deposits for residential leases. The state does not have rent control. Security deposits are limited based on the lease term, and landlords have specific trust account requirements for holding deposits.

What's required

Security Deposit Requirements
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-50 et seq.

Key NC statutes

Tenant Security Deposit Act
N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-50 to 42-56
Limits security deposits and governs handling, holding, and return procedures.
Residential Rental Agreements Act
N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-38 to 42-44
Governs landlord-tenant obligations for residential rentals.

North Carolina-specific considerations

Security Deposit Limits
Week-to-week: 2 weeks' rent. Month-to-month: 1.5 months' rent. Longer leases: 2 months' rent.
Trust Account Requirement
Security deposits must be held in a trust account at a licensed financial institution.
30-Day Deposit Return (or 60 with notice)
Deposits must be returned within 30 days, extendable to 60 days with written notice to the tenant.