North Carolina Late fees
Can a landlord charge a late fee in North Carolina, and how much?
Only once rent is 5 or more calendar days late. Monthly rent: no more than $15 or 5% of monthly rent, whichever is greater. Weekly rent: $4 or 5%, whichever is greater. Only one late fee per late payment.
Verified Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-46(a)-(b) · last checked 2026-10-15
How this works in North Carolina
A North Carolina late fee may be charged only once rent is 5 or more calendar days late, and only one late fee may be charged per late payment. For monthly rent, the fee may be no more than $15 or 5% of the monthly rent, whichever is greater. For weekly rent, the fee may be no more than $4 or 5%, whichever is greater.
Worked example for North Carolina
Example: Monthly rent is $1,000, and it is 5 or more calendar days late. 5% of $1,000 is $50, so the greater of $15 or 5% is $50, which is the maximum in this example. If monthly rent were $200, 5% would be $10, and the maximum would be $15. If rent were due weekly, the fee may be no more than $4 or 5% of the weekly rent, whichever is greater. Only one late fee may be charged per late payment.
North Carolina timelines and limits
| When a late fee may be charged | Only once rent is 5 or more calendar days late |
|---|---|
| Monthly rent cap | $15 or 5% of the monthly rent, whichever is greater |
| Weekly rent cap | $4 or 5%, whichever is greater |
| How often | Only one late fee per late payment |
North Carolina FAQ
How much can a North Carolina landlord charge for late monthly rent?
No more than $15 or 5% of the monthly rent, whichever is greater, and only once rent is 5 or more calendar days late, under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-46(a)-(b).
What if rent is paid weekly?
The late fee may be no more than $4 or 5% of the weekly rent, whichever is greater.
Can I charge more than one late fee on the same late payment?
No. Only one late fee may be charged per late payment.
Sources for this section: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-46(a)-(b) (checked 2026-10-15)
Same topic in neighboring states
All North Carolina landlord-tenant law · North Carolina landlord FAQ · Security deposit limit · Deposit return deadline · Notice to enter · Required lease disclosures · Required disclosures (mold, lead, radon, bedbug, asbestos, flood zone)
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