States/North Carolina/30/60-Day Rule
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North Carolina renter guide

North Carolina 30/60-Day Security Deposit Rule

North Carolina normally requires the deposit balance and written itemization within 30 days. If the extent of the claim cannot be determined within 30 days, the landlord must send an interim accounting by day 30 and a final accounting within 60 days.

Last reviewed: August 30, 20261 primary source cited
Normal accounting30 days

After termination and delivery of possession.

Interim accounting if claim unresolvedBy day 30

Required when the extent of the claim cannot be determined within 30 days.

Final accountingBy day 60

Outside deadline in the unresolved-claim scenario.

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30/60-day deposit timeline

Enter the date both the tenancy was terminated and possession had been delivered to the landlord, using the later date if those events differed.

Normal refund / itemization dateSelect a date
Final accounting outside date if claim unresolvedSelect a date

The 60-day date is not an automatic extension in every case: an interim accounting is required by day 30 when the extent of the claim cannot yet be determined.

Two dates trigger the timeline

The statute refers to both termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession to the landlord. Record both dates if they differ.

If your address is unknown

Section 42-52 contains a separate procedure when the tenant’s address is unknown: after 30 days the landlord may apply the deposit as permitted and must hold the remaining balance for collection by the tenant for at least six months.

Use the actual tenancy timeline. North Carolina’s accounting statute ties the deadline to termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession. If those dates differ, identify both before calculating a deadline.

Official sources

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