N.C. Gen. Stat. § § 42-8
Grantees of reversion and assigns of lease have reciprocal rights under covenants.
Operative Text
The grantee in every conveyance of reversion in lands, tenements or hereditaments has the like advantages and remedies by action or entry against the holders of particular estates in such real property, and their assigns, for nonpayment of rent, and for the nonperformance of other conditions and agreements contained in the instruments by the tenants of such particular estates, as the grantor or lessor or his heirs might have; and the holders of such particular estates, and their assigns, have the like advantages and remedies against the grantee of the reversion, or any part thereof, for any conditions and agreements contained in such instruments, as they might have had against the grantor or his lessors or his heirs. (32 Hen. VIII, c. 34; 1868-9, c. 156, s. 18; Code, s. 1765; Rev., s. 1989; C.S., s. 2348.)
North Carolina General Statute § 42-8 establishes that when a landlord transfers ownership of rental property to a new owner, that new owner steps into the original landlord's shoes and can enforce lease covenants—such as collecting unpaid rent or holding tenants to other lease conditions—just as the original landlord could have. Conversely, tenants and their successors retain the same rights and remedies against the new property owner that they originally held against the prior landlord. The statute creates a mutual, reciprocal relationship so that a change in ownership does not extinguish either side's contractual rights under the lease.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-8, a property owner who acquires rental property through a conveyance of reversion generally inherits the full set of enforcement tools the original landlord possessed, including the ability to pursue remedies for unpaid rent or breached lease conditions. Compliant operators typically document the transfer of ownership clearly and notify tenants of the new ownership so that lease obligations remain transparent and enforceable. Maintaining thorough records of the original lease terms and any assignments is a common practice that supports the continuity of rights this statute preserves.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-8 protects tenants by ensuring that any rights or remedies they held against an original landlord survive a sale or transfer of the property to a new owner. Tenants generally retain the ability to assert lease-based claims—such as those arising from conditions or agreements in the original lease—against the new property owner just as they could have against the prior one. Tenants who believe their rights under an existing lease are being disregarded following a property transfer may wish to review the lease terms carefully, consult a tenant-rights organization, or seek independent legal guidance about available remedies.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.