How much can a landlord charge for a late rent fee in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, a late fee may not exceed $15 or 5% of the monthly rent, whichever is greater. A late fee may be charged only once the rent is five calendar days or more late, counting from the day after it was due. Where rent is paid weekly the limit is $4 or 5% of the weekly rent, whichever is greater. This is N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-46(a).

WhatNorth Carolina
Maximum late fee$15 or 5%, whichever is greater
No late fee before5 days

Notes

Where rent is paid weekly the limit is $4 or 5% of the weekly rent, whichever is greater.

Source

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-46(a)

Read the statute in the North Carolina General Statutes (North Carolina General Assembly): ncleg.gov.

Checked against the statute on September 11, 2026.

This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.

How Seayora uses this rule

Seayora charges only the late fee written into the lease, after the grace period the lease sets, and adds no late fee of its own. This page states the statutory ceiling and waiting period so the terms of a lease can be checked against them before it is signed.

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