Ending a month-to-month tenancy in North Carolina

The rule in North Carolina

To end a month-to-month tenancy in North Carolina, the notice period is 7 days, set by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-14. The words: “a tenancy from month to month by a like notice of seven days.” The same period binds the tenant: the statute gives landlord and tenant one rule.

Of the 29 states verified on this site, 0 require less notice and 28 require more, counting a month as 30 days for comparison; the median is 30 days. No other verified state uses the same length.

Worked date: a notice delivered on November 10, 2026 runs its 7 days on November 17, 2026, so the notice can name November 17, 2026 or a later date as the end of the tenancy, 7 days after delivery.

Given on the rent day itself, December 1, 2026, the same notice reaches its end on December 8, 2026, 7 days later. A period stated in days is the same length in every month.

Across the border, among neighbours with a verified rule: South Carolina requires 30 days and Virginia requires 30 days.

For a tenancy paid by the week, the same statute sets 2 days, 29% of the monthly figure.

The same section sets one month or more for a year-to-year tenancy and two days for week-to-week; where only a manufactured-home space is rented, notice must be at least 60 days.

After the notice: the landlord then has 30 days to return the security deposit (deposit rules), so a tenancy ending on November 17, 2026 puts the deposit deadline at December 17, 2026; rent that falls due before the end date is still owed, and North Carolina's late-fee rule is $15 or 5% of the monthly rent, whichever is greater (late fees).

Source: North Carolina General Assembly, G.S. 42-14 · last checked October 21, 2026.

Giving or receiving notice

The statute sets the shortest period; a lease can add conditions such as a written form or a delivery method, and some cities add their own rules. The guide on ending a month-to-month tenancy compares how the verified states count the period.