What Can a North Carolina Landlord Deduct?
North Carolina limits how a landlord can use a security deposit.
The landlord can use the deposit only for listed purposes under the North Carolina Tenant Security Deposit Act.
Common allowed categories
Allowed categories can include:
- unpaid rent
- damage to the premises beyond ordinary wear and tear
- unpaid bills that become a lien against the property
- costs of rerenting after the tenant breaches the lease
- removal and storage costs after summary ejectment
- court costs and certain authorized fees
Ordinary wear and tear is different
Ordinary wear and tear is not deductible. A landlord should not charge you for normal aging, ordinary use, or routine turnover work.
Damage is different. Broken fixtures, holes, heavy staining, missing items, or damage beyond ordinary use can be treated differently if the facts support it.
The accounting matters
The landlord should itemize damage and mail or deliver the balance within 30 days after tenancy termination and delivery of possession. If the full claim cannot be determined within 30 days, an interim accounting and later final accounting may be used.
What to keep
Keep move-in photos, move-out photos, the lease, repair invoices or estimates if you receive them, messages about condition, and every accounting or refund record.
Get the Deposit Recovery System
Important: This page provides general information and is not legal advice.