Can your NC landlord refuse to make repairs? Here’s what the law says

Are you dealing with leaky plumbing, a broken air conditioner, or need help with a bug infestation?

These situations are routine issues for most apartment or home renters.

But what if your North Carolina landlord refuses to handle or make any repairs? Is that even legal?

Here is what state law says and what your rights are.

Can an NC landlord not make repairs when requested?

North Carolina’s landlord and tenant laws are found in Chapter 42 of the state statute. The law requires landlords to provide “fit and habitable” conditions.

This generally means the home must be safe and have adequate heat, water and plumbing, according to Legal Aid of North Carolina. The landlord must also comply with applicable building and housing codes, make repairs, keep the building and common areas safe, and maintain electricity, ventilation and smoke alarms.

“North Carolina law requires landlords to provide tenants with fit and safe housing by making repairs and maintaining rental property in compliance with codes,” according to LawHelpNC.org.

Can tenants withhold rent if repairs are not made?

No, you can’t withhold rent.

“You should not withhold rent payments unless the landlord agrees to it in writing or a judge rules that you can,” says Raleigh-based Triangle Law Group. “That keeps you on the right side of the law. You can seek a court order to recover some of the rent you’ve paid, but you should let the legal system work for you.”

If a reasonable amount of time passes and the repairs are not made, the North Carolina Real Estate Commission advises renters to explore options for rent reduction. And if the landlord continues to ignore you, you may be able to vacate the apartment to terminate the lease under a legal theory called “constructive eviction,” the agency said.

What to do if a landlord won’t act on repair requests

If you notify your landlord in writing or by another means of repairs, you can keep a record of the date you made the request, Legal Aid of North Carolina said. If the landlord refuses to make repairs and you have to go to court, you can demonstrate that the landlord was aware of the defects in your property.

You can also show that the landlord knew of the needed repairs in the following ways:

• You gave written notice to the landlord. 
• The landlord visited the premises and observed the defects
• The defects existed when you moved in, and the landlord promised to repair them
• The premises were inspected by the local building inspector, who sent a notice of needed repairs to the landlord.

Helpful resources for renters

• Legal Aid of North Carolina has a Charlotte office. The housing hotline is 704-594-8662, extension number 4. The Raleigh office number is 919-856-2564. The Durham office can be reached at 919-688-6396.
• If you are looking to report code violations in Charlotte, you can call 311 or 704-336-7600. Tenants who believe minimum housing code violations exist should call 311.
• More information can be found on the city of Charlotte’s website. In Raleigh, a code enforcement request form can be found online. Or call 919-996-2444 to report any suspected code violation.
• Complaints can also be filed with the North Carolina Attorney General’s office. A general consumer complaint form is the best place to start. The form can be found online.

This story was originally published October 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Can your NC landlord refuse to make repairs? Here’s what the law says."