Landlord & tenant · North Carolina
the short answer
Your landlord has 30 days to give you an accounting of the deposit. Where the damage cannot be worked out that fast, a final accounting is due at 60 days. The landlord may keep no more than the real cost of the damage, and may charge you nothing for normal wear and tear.
source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.
governing statute
source ↗Checked against the statute on 2026-08-19
deadline
30 days
source ↗Checked against the statute on 2026-08-19
Across the country. 23 of the 47 states written up answer this the same way as North Carolina. The shortest is 14 days, as in Alaska; the longest is 60 days, as in Alabama. Compare every state →
penalty
An interim accounting is due within 30 days and a final accounting within 60 days where the extent of the damage cannot be determined in time. The landlord may not keep more than actual damages, and may not charge for normal wear and tear.
source ↗Checked against the statute on 2026-08-19
which court
District Court, heard by a magistrate
source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.
small claims limit
$10,000
source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.
your situation
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