Renters in North Carolina generally have rights that prevent landlords from evicting them without cause. Tenants who receive an eviction notice will typically have the opportunity to remedy whatever problem that led to the notice being sent. For instance, an individual may be allowed to get current on rental payments or relocate an animal that isn’t supposed to live with the tenant. However, there are circumstances in which a tenant can send an unconditional quit notice.
This means that the landlord will not work with the tenant to resolve the issue. These can typically only be sent if a tenant has failed to pay rent multiple times or has willfully violated the terms of the lease on several occasions. This type of notice could also be sent if a person is engaging in illegal behavior or has damaged the property that he or she is living in.
In some instances, a landlord can ask a tenant to leave without cause within 30 to 60 days of receiving the request to vacate. If a tenant refuses to leave, a landlord must go to court to formally evict that individual. Tenants may defend themselves by asserting that a landlord failed to follow proper eviction protocols or that the issue that led to the eviction lawsuit has been remedied.
Individuals who live in a rental property generally have the right to occupy a safe and quiet space. If a landlord violates a tenant’s rights, that individual may benefit from consulting with an attorney. An attorney may be able to help a tenant obtain financial compensation and other forms of relief if the terms of a lease have been violated. Landlords may also violate state law by evicting a person without cause or by failing to follow established eviction protocols.
