General information, not legal advice. This template is a starting point. Laws differ by state and city, so have a licensed attorney review your final document before you use it.
Last reviewed
The short version
- A free North Carolina edition of our lease termination letter template, as a PDF to print and a Word file to edit.
- A month-to-month tenancy can be ended by either side with 7 days of notice, unless the lease requires more.
- A month-to-month tenancy can be ended with 7 days of notice, a week-to-week tenancy with 2 days, and a year-to-year tenancy with one month.
- A service member with permanent change of station orders 50 miles or more away, or who is discharged early, can end a lease with written notice effective at least 30 days after the landlord receives it, plus the orders.
- Have a North Carolina attorney review your final version before you use it.
A written notice that ends a tenancy, with one version for landlords and one for tenants, plus move-out and deposit details and a proof of delivery. This edition fills in the North Carolina rules we could confirm and marks the rest as blanks to check.
North Carolina rules for this form
Month-to-month notice. A month-to-month tenancy can be ended by either side with 7 days of notice, unless the lease requires more. (N.C. General Statutes section 42-14)
Ending a tenancy without cause. A month-to-month tenancy can be ended with 7 days of notice, a week-to-week tenancy with 2 days, and a year-to-year tenancy with one month. (N.C. General Statutes section 42-14)
Military service. A service member with permanent change of station orders 50 miles or more away, or who is discharged early, can end a lease with written notice effective at least 30 days after the landlord receives it, plus the orders. (N.C. General Statutes section 42-45 and Servicemembers Civil Relief Act)
Domestic violence survivors. A survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking can end a lease with written notice effective at least 30 days after the landlord receives it, plus a qualifying protective order or Address Confidentiality Program card. (N.C. General Statutes section 42-45.1)
Landlord duty to re-rent. When a tenant leaves early, the landlord is generally expected to make reasonable efforts to re-rent, which limits the rent the tenant owes. (North Carolina case law)
Cities and counties in North Carolina can add their own rules on top of these. Check local ordinances before you sign.
What is in the template
- Version A: landlord to tenant
- Proof of delivery
- Version B: tenant to landlord
Before you use it
- A termination letter ends a tenancy the normal way, such as at the end of a lease or with notice on a month-to-month tenancy.
- It is different from an eviction notice, which responds to unpaid rent or a lease violation.
- The notice period, delivery method and any required reason come from the lease and from state and local law.
- Keep a copy and proof of how and when you delivered it.
For the full explanation of this form, read our guide to the lease termination letter.
Get the North Carolina lease termination letter
Free, no sign up. Fill it in by hand or edit the Word file.
General template, not legal advice. Have a North Carolina attorney review before use.
Verify current law
We last checked these North Carolina rules on . Laws change and cities can add their own, so confirm the current text before you rely on it, and talk to a North Carolina attorney about your situation.
Laws named on this page
- N.C. General Statutes section 42-14
- N.C. General Statutes section 42-45 and Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
- N.C. General Statutes section 42-45.1
- North Carolina case law
Official sources
Goes with this form
Before you send it.
What does North Carolina law say about month-to-month notice?
A month-to-month tenancy can be ended by either side with 7 days of notice, unless the lease requires more. Source: N.C. General Statutes section 42-14.
What does North Carolina law say about ending a tenancy without cause?
A month-to-month tenancy can be ended with 7 days of notice, a week-to-week tenancy with 2 days, and a year-to-year tenancy with one month. Source: N.C. General Statutes section 42-14.
What does North Carolina law say about military service?
A service member with permanent change of station orders 50 miles or more away, or who is discharged early, can end a lease with written notice effective at least 30 days after the landlord receives it, plus the orders. Source: N.C. General Statutes section 42-45 and Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
What does North Carolina law say about domestic violence survivors?
A survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking can end a lease with written notice effective at least 30 days after the landlord receives it, plus a qualifying protective order or Address Confidentiality Program card. Source: N.C. General Statutes section 42-45.1.