From Article 6 - General Statute
Security deposits for residential dwelling units shall be permitted only for the The tenant's possible nonpayment of rent and costs for water or sewer services
provided pursuant to G.S. 62‑110(g) and electric service pursuant to G.S. 62‑110(h).
Damage to the premises, including damage to or destruction of smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms.
Damages as the result of the nonfulfillment of the rental period, except where the tenant terminated the rental agreement under G.S. 42‑45, G.S. 42‑45.1, or
because the tenant was forced to leave the property because of the landlord's violation of Article 2A of Chapter 42 of the General Statutes or was
constructively evicted by the landlord's violation of G.S. 42‑42(a).
Any unpaid bills that become a lien against the demised property due to the
tenant's occupancy.
The costs of re‑renting the premises after breach by the tenant, including any reasonable fees or commissions paid by the landlord to a licensed real estate
broker to re‑rent the premises. The costs of removal and storage of the tenant's property after a summary ejectment proceeding.
Court costs.
Any fee permitted by G.S. 42‑46. Late Fees
§ 42‑46.� Late fees.
(a)������ In all residential rental agreements in which a definite time for the payment of the rent is fixed, the parties may agree to a late fee not inconsistent with the provisions of this subsection, to be chargeable only if any rental payment is five days or more late. If the rent:
(1)������ Is due in monthly installments, a landlord may charge a late fee not to exceed fifteen dollars ($15.00) or five percent (5%) of the monthly rent, whichever is greater.
(2)������ Is due in weekly installments, a landlord may charge a late fee not to exceed four dollars ($4.00) or five percent (5%) of the weekly rent, whichever is greater.
(3)������ Is subsidized by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, by the United States Department of Agriculture, by a State agency, by a public housing authority, or by a local government, any late fee shall be calculated in accordance with subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection on the tenant's share of the contract rent only, and the rent subsidy shall not be included.
(b)������ A late fee under this section may be imposed only one time for each late rental payment. A late fee for a specific late rental payment may not be deducted from a subsequent rental payment so as to cause the subsequent rental payment to be in default.
(c)������ Any provision of a residential rental agreement contrary to the provisions of this section is against the public policy of this State and therefore void and unenforceable.
(d)������ A lessor shall not charge a late fee to a lessee because of the lessee's failure to pay for water or sewer services provided pursuant to G.S. 62‑110(g). (1987, c. 530, s. 1; 2001‑502, s. 4; 2003‑370, s. 1; 2004‑143, s. 5.)



