How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, a security deposit is capped at 2 months of rent. Two months' rent (1½ for month-to-month; two weeks for week-to-week). This is N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-51–42-52.
| What | North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Maximum deposit | 2 months of rent |
| Deadline to return it | 30 days |
Source
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-51–42-52 — last checked 2026-09-15.
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 computes the deadline this rule sets from the tenancy’s own dates, shows it on the lease and the deposit statement, and reminds the landlord before it falls due — so the answer above is not reference material sitting beside the product, it is the rule the product enforces.
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