Sample letter · North Carolina

What a real North Carolina demand letter looks like

This example was generated by the same engine that prepares our customers' letters — real statute, real deadline math, sample facts. Read the annotations, then generate yours with your own facts in about 3 minutes.

Jordan Avery 88 New Haven Road, Riverton, North Carolina August 29, 2026 Northgate Property Management 1200 Commerce Street, Suite 400, Riverton, North Carolina SENT VIA USPS CERTIFIED MAIL RE: Demand for return of security deposit — 482 Maple Court, Apt 2B, Riverton, North Carolina Dear Northgate Property Management: I was the tenant at 482 Maple Court, Apt 2B, Riverton, North Carolina until June 20, 2026, on which date I surrendered the premises. I paid a security deposit of $1,500.00. To date, no portion of my deposit has been returned to me. I have received no itemized statement of deductions. The grounds given for withholding — alleged damage beyond normal wear and tear; cleaning charges — are disputed. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-52, a landlord in North Carolina must return a tenant’s security deposit, or provide a written itemized statement of lawful deductions, within 30 days of termination and delivery of possession (a final accounting within 60 days when damages are still being assessed). That period expired on August 19, 2026. To the extent any statutory period runs from receipt of a tenant’s forwarding address, this letter provides that address, and the applicable period runs from your receipt of it. For the record: The unit was left clean, keys were returned on the move-out date, and two written follow-ups have gone unanswered. My records of this tenancy include date-stamped photographs of the condition of the premises; the lease agreement; written correspondence with you or your agents. I am prepared to present these records in court if necessary. Please be aware that N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-52 provides remedies for failure to comply with these requirements. Wrongful retention forfeits deduction rights; the tenant can recover the withheld amount and the court may award fees. This letter also serves as written notice of my forwarding address, stated above, for all purposes under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-52. Accordingly, I demand payment of $1,500.00 within fourteen (14) days of the date of this letter, delivered to my address above. If I do not receive payment, I intend to pursue every remedy available to me under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-52, including filing suit in small claims court, where I may seek the statutory damages described above, together with attorney's fees and costs where the statute allows. I would prefer to resolve this without court involvement, and prompt payment will end the matter. Sincerely, Jordan Avery
Why each part is there

The certified-mail line

Signals the delivery is being documented — the record a small-claims judge wants to see.

The statute citation

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-52 tells the landlord you know exactly which law governs — and that its clock has already run out.

The penalty paragraph

Wrongful retention forfeits deduction rights; the tenant can recover the withheld amount and the court may award fees. Stating it plainly is usually what moves a landlord to settle.

The forwarding-address clause

Several statutes start (or restart) their clock at receipt of a written forwarding address — the letter closes that loophole itself.

The evidence recital

Listing photos, the lease, and correspondence tells the landlord a court case is already assembled — without a threat ever being made.

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