North Carolina landlord-tenant laws are typically landlord-friendly. As a landlord, you have broader power to increase rent, evict a difficult tenant, and access rented premises without permission.
Understanding the statewide landlord-tenant law is important when renting out your property. It'll help you better understand your tenants' rights, as well as your landlording responsibilities.
The following is a basic overview of the North Carolina landlord-tenant laws:
Required North Carolina Landlord Disclosures
All over the country, landlords must make certain disclosures prior to their tenants signing the lease agreement. In the state of North Carolina, landlords must specifically make the following information known to tenants:
Lead Paint
Lead paint is hazardous. It can cause delayed development, and damage to the kidneys and nervous system. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of lead paint.
It's for these reasons that the use of lead paint was banned in 1978. Landlords renting out buildings built prior to the ban must make that information known to their tenants.
Mold
Mold also poorly affects health when present in a home. Related to mold, you must also let your North Carolina tenant know about any structural damage the property has. This includes damage caused by insects, smoke, fire, water, as well as mold.
Utilities
Have you expressly agreed in the lease to be responsible for any utilities to the tenant's dwelling? If so, your tenant can hold you liable for any disconnections or disruptions that may occur as a result of nonpayment on your part.
North Carolina Tenant Rights & Responsibilities
After lease signing, both parties to the lease are provided certain rights and responsibilities. Both parties must also uphold their end of their bargain until the lease expires.
So, what rights do North Carolina tenants have once they sign the lease agreement? They have a right to:
- Live in a rental that is habitable and meets all the state and local safety, health and building codes.
- Live in quiet enjoyment of their rented homes, devoid of any unnecessary disruptions.
- Remain in the property until the landlord has followed proper procedure to evict them.
- Be notified when the landlord is seeking to make changes to the lease agreement.
- Withhold rent or exercise the right to "repair and deduct" if the landlord fails to take care of important repairs.
Renting a property in North Carolina also comes with some responsibilities. A tenant must:
- Notify their landlord before moving out.
- Abide by all terms of the lease. For example, not make illegal changes to the property or sublet without permission.
- Keep noise levels down in order not to disrupt other tenants' quiet enjoyment of their rented premises.
- Inform the landlord of important repairs.
- Notify the landlord when planning to leave town for an extended period of time.
- Take good care of their rented premises.
- Pay rent on time, every month.
The lease also gives landlords some basic rights. You have a right to:
- Evict the tenant for violating the lease agreement. For instance, failure to pay...
