§ 42-55. Remedies. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 42‑55.  Remedies.

If the landlord or thelandlord's successor in interest fails to account for and refund the balance ofthe tenant's security deposit as required by this Article, the tenant mayinstitute a civil action to require the accounting of and the recovery of thebalance of the deposit. The willful failure of a landlord to comply with thedeposit, bond, or notice requirements of this Article shall void the landlord'sright to retain any portion of the tenant's security deposit as otherwise permittedunder G.S. 42‑51. In addition to other remedies at law and equity, thetenant may recover damages resulting from noncompliance by the landlord; andupon a finding by the court that the party against whom judgment is renderedwas in willful noncompliance with this Article, such willful noncompliance isagainst the public policy of this State and the court may award attorney's feesto be taxed as part of the costs of court.  (1977, c. 914, s. 1; 2009‑279, s. 6.)