As a North Carolina landlord and legal template writer with over twelve years of experience drafting residential and commercial lease documents, I’ve helped hundreds of property owners serve compliant eviction notices across the Tar Heel State. One of the most frequently requested forms in my practice is the 10 day notice to quit NC for nonpayment of rent – the mandatory first step before filing a summary ejectment action in magistrate court.
In this comprehensive guide, I’m providing my battle-tested, attorney-reviewed 10 day eviction notice NC template completely free for download in both PDF and editable Word formats. I’ll walk you through exactly when and how to use it, common mistakes that get cases dismissed, and the current 2025 North Carolina eviction laws you must follow to avoid costly delays.
A notice to quit North Carolina for nonpayment of rent – officially called a “Notice to Quit or Pay Rent” – is a written demand that gives the tenant exactly 10 days to either pay all past-due rent or vacate the premises. This notice is governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-3 and is the only lawful way to begin the eviction process for nonpayment in North Carolina.
According to the North Carolina General Statutes and the Administrative Office of the Courts, if rent is even one day late, the landlord may serve this 10-day notice immediately – there is no statutory grace period unless your lease explicitly creates one (IRS.gov and NC courts confirm late fees may be charged after any grace period stated in the lease).
You may serve a 10 day notice to quit NC in these situations:
You cannot combine this notice with other violations (such as lease breaches or criminal activity). Nonpayment gets the exclusive 10-day notice; all other violations require either a 7-day curable notice, an unconditional quit notice, or no notice at all depending on the violation.
Download Word .DOCX Version Download PDF Version
Both versions are 100% free, contain all required language under N.C.G.S. § 42-3, and include the mandatory bold 14-point warning statement required since the 2023 legislative updates.
| Field | What to Enter |
|---|---|
| Tenant Full Name(s) | List every adult on the lease exactly as written |
| Premises Address | Full rental address including unit number and city, NC zip |
| Amount Due | Total rent + allowable late fees + any NSF fees defined as rent |
| Due Date of Rent | The date rent was originally due (usually the 1st) |
| Date Notice Prepared | Date you sign and serve the notice |
| Landlord/Agent Name & Contact | Your name, mailing address, and phone |
North Carolina law now requires the following exact warning in bold, minimum 14-point type:
“YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT YOU HAVE TEN (10) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF SERVICE OF THIS NOTICE TO PAY THE TOTAL AMOUNT DUE OR VACATE THE PREMISES. IF YOU DO NOT PAY THE TOTAL AMOUNT DUE OR VACATE WITHIN TEN (10) DAYS, AN EVICTION ACTION MAY BE FILED AGAINST YOU.”
Proper service is the #1 reason eviction cases are dismissed in NC magistrate court. Acceptable methods (in order of preference):
Important: The 10-day clock does NOT start until the day AFTER service is completed. Weekends and holidays ARE counted unless the 10th day falls on a weekend or court holiday – then it rolls to the next business day.
If the tenant has neither paid in full nor vacated after the 10th day:
In my decade-plus reviewing magistrate dismissals, these are the top errors:
Can I charge late fees during the 10-day period?
Yes. Late fees continue to accrue unless your lease says otherwise.
Does the tenant get 10 business days?
No – 10 calendar days, including weekends.
Can I file for eviction on day 11?
Yes, as soon as the 10th day expires.
Is the 10-day notice required for Section 8 tenants?
Yes, for the tenant portion of rent.
This North Carolina 10 day eviction notice template and article are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Landlord-tenant laws change frequently, and court interpretations vary by county. Always consult a licensed North Carolina attorney or your local legal aid office before serving any eviction notice.
Download your free, compliant 10 day notice to quit North Carolina template today and stay on the right side of NC eviction law.
Download Free 10 Day Notice to Quit NC (Word) Download Free 10 Day Notice to Quit NC (PDF)
Updated November 2025 – Compliant with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-3 and all 2023–2025 legislative changes.