N.C. Gen. Stat. § § 42-42.3
Victim protection - change locks.
Operative Text
(a) If the perpetrator of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking is not a tenant in the same dwelling unit as the protected tenant, a tenant of a dwelling may give oral or written notice to the landlord that a protected tenant is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking and may request that the locks to the dwelling unit be changed. A protected tenant is not required to provide documentation of the domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking to initiate the changing of the locks, pursuant to this subsection. A landlord who receives a request under this subsection shall change the locks to the protected tenant's dwelling unit or give the protected tenant permission to change the locks within 48 hours. (b) If the perpetrator of the domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking is a tenant in the same dwelling unit as the victim, any tenant or protected tenant of a dwelling unit may give oral or written notice to the landlord that a protected tenant is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking and may request that the locks to the dwelling unit be changed. In these circumstances, the following shall apply: (1) Before the landlord or tenant changes the locks under this subsection, the tenant must provide the landlord with a copy of an order issued by a court that orders the perpetrator to stay away from the dwelling unit. (2) Unless a court order allows the perpetrator to return to the dwelling to retrieve personal belongings, the landlord has no duty under the rental agreement or by law to allow the perpetrator access to the dwelling unit, to provide keys to the perpetrator, or to provide the perpetrator access to the perpetrator's personal property within the dwelling unit once the landlord has been provided with a court order requiring the perpetrator to stay away from the dwelling. If a landlord complies with this section, the landlord is not liable for civil damages, to a perpetrator excluded from the dwelling unit, for loss of use of the dwelling unit or loss of use or damage to the perpetrator's personal property. (3) The perpetrator who has been excluded from the dwelling unit under this subsection remains liable under the lease with any other tenant of the dwelling unit for rent or damages to the dwelling unit. A landlord who receives a request under this subsection shall change the locks to the protected tenant's dwelling unit or give the protected tenant permission to change the locks within 72 hours. (c) The protected tenant shall bear the expense of changing the locks. If a landlord fails to act within the required time, the protected tenant may change the locks without the landlord's permission. If the protected tenant changes the locks, the protected tenant shall give a key to the new locks to the landlord within 48 hours of the locks being changed. (2005-423, s. 6.)
North Carolina General Statute § 42-42.3 establishes a process by which tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking can request that their landlord change the locks on their dwelling unit. When the perpetrator is not a co-tenant, no documentation is required and the landlord must act within 48 hours; when the perpetrator is a co-tenant, a court order excluding that person from the unit is required and the landlord has 72 hours to act. The cost of changing the locks falls on the protected tenant, who may change the locks independently if the landlord fails to meet the deadline, provided a key is given to the landlord within 48 hours.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-42.3, compliant landlords respond promptly to lock-change requests from protected tenants, observing the 48-hour window when the perpetrator is not a co-tenant and the 72-hour window when a court order has been provided excluding a co-tenant perpetrator. Operators generally keep records of any oral or written notices received and document the timing of their response. Landlords who follow the statute's requirements are shielded from civil liability to an excluded perpetrator for loss of use of the unit or damage to personal property left behind.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-42.3 gives protected tenants the right to request a lock change without providing documentation when the perpetrator does not live in the same unit, and with a qualifying court order when the perpetrator is a co-tenant. If a landlord does not act within the required timeframe, the statute permits the protected tenant to change the locks independently, with the obligation to provide the landlord a copy of the new key within 48 hours; the cost of the lock change is the protected tenant's responsibility. Tenants seeking to understand how this provision applies to their circumstances may find it helpful to contact a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with North Carolina housing law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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