Raleigh Residential Lease Agreement

A residential lease agreement in Raleigh is a binding document between a landlord and a tenant. This agreement outlines the terms and conditions surrounding the use of a rental property in exchange for payment.

Residential Lease Agreement Requirements in Raleigh

Raleigh has no city-specific residential lease agreement requirements or disclosures. As such, landlords and tenants in Raleigh follow  requirements for lease agreements.

Landlord-Tenant Rights and Regulations in Raleigh

When it comes to landlord-tenant laws, Raleigh landlords should be aware of the following:

Property Maintenance

The City of Raleigh enforces their own housing and property maintenance code. While many of these regulations align with State law, certain codes are city-specific. For example, tenants in Raleigh must keep all weeds and grass to a height of 8 inches or less. The City also addresses issues surrounding: [1]

• Noise
• Litter
• Abandoned vehicles
• Hazardous materials
• Storage of appliances

Optional Lease Agreement Disclosures and Addendums in Raleigh

While not mandatory, landlords can add specific disclosures and addendums to their leases. This helps outline the responsibilities of the tenant and can prevent future liability issues.

Mold Addendum

Due to the humid climate in Raleigh, landlords may want to include a mold addendum. This will prevent landlords from being liable for future mold-related damage.

Parking Rules Addendum

Since Raleigh is primarily a driving city, landlords may want to include a parking addendum to clearly outline the building’s parking policy. This should include information on assigned parking spots, street parking rules, and any prohibited uses of the parking space.

Summary of Required Lease Disclosures for the State of North Carolina

• Late Fees – Late fees must be disclosed in the rent in order to be enforced. For monthly rent, late fees are capped at $15 or 5% of the rent (whichever is greater), and must only be charged only when payment is over five days late.
• Security Deposit Holdings – North Carolina requires landlords to place security deposits into a trust account that is licensed and federally insured.
• Water Contamination – North Carolina landlords who charge tenants for water or sewage utilities must provide notice of any known contaminant levels exceeding the guidelines provided by the state.
• Lead-Based Paint – It is a federal law in the United States that any home built prior to 1978 must disclose the risks posed by lead-based paints.