Which disclosures must a North Carolina lease include?
North Carolina landlord-tenant law is governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 42. Beyond the universal federal lead rule, the disclosures a North Carolina landlord must give at or around lease signing are:
| Disclosure | Authority | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Security deposit location | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-50 | Within 30 days of the lease term |
| Lead-based paint hazard + EPA pamphlet | Title X (federal) | Housing built before 1978 |
The main North Carolina lease disclosures
Security deposit location (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-50): the landlord must tell the tenant in writing the name and address of the bank or institution holding the deposit (or the bond's surety) within 30 days.
Federal lead-based paint disclosure
Federal law overlays North Carolina's own rules here. Any pre-1978 rental triggers Title X (42 U.S.C. § 4852d): the landlord must supply a signed lead-warning statement, disclose known lead hazards, share available inspection records, and give the tenant the EPA booklet Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home. Skipping it exposes the landlord to civil and, in serious cases, criminal liability.
What happens if a North Carolina landlord skips a required disclosure?
Consequences depend on the disclosure:
- A missed 30-day itemized deposit return forfeits the right to withhold and can expose the landlord to the deposit plus the tenant's costs (§ 42-52).
- Late, complaint-filing, and court-appearance fees are only collectible if the written lease authorizes them (§ 42-46).
- A federal lead-paint violation carries civil and, in egregious cases, criminal penalties plus liability for tenant damages.
For the full set of North Carolina lease rules — deposits, late fees, and notice periods — see What Must a North Carolina Lease Agreement Include. Managing rentals in more than one state? Compare North Carolina's list with our Georgia and Virginia disclosure checklists, and see the baseline in What Every Residential Lease Agreement Must Include.
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Create your North Carolina lease agreement →Frequently asked questions
What disclosures are required in a North Carolina lease?
A North Carolina lease must include security deposit location (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-50), plus the federal lead-based paint disclosure for pre-1978 housing.
Does North Carolina require a security deposit location disclosure?
Yes. the landlord must tell the tenant in writing the name and address of the bank or institution holding the deposit (or the bond's surety) within 30 days (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-50).
Does North Carolina require a lead-paint disclosure?
Yes, for pre-1978 housing. This is a federal requirement: the signed lead-warning disclosure, known records, and the EPA pamphlet.
Official sources
Primary statutes and official government references for this guide. Statutes change — always confirm against the current official text before you act.