North Carolina Law on Rental Furniture

An important renting decision is for either a furnished or unfurnished unit. If this is your first rental a unit that comes with basic necessities such as a bed, dresser, and kitchen chairs and table can be quite beneficial. The North Carolina Residential Rental Agreement Act covers items such as these when they are the property of the landlord.

Written Agreements

• Before you agree to lease a rental property, it is a good idea to have a written agreement that specifies, among other things, that any furniture in the apartment belongs to the landlord. Although it is legal to rent a unit without a written lease, having one helps prevent potential legal issues in the future.

Damage

• Although you will not own the furniture in the apartment, it is important to keep it free of damage and misuse. You should also notify the landlord if, at any point, a piece of furniture wears out or breaks. If you do not, you may be held liable at the end of the lease for the cost of replacing or repairing the furniture.

Vacating

• When you leave the apartment for the last time, do not remove any of the furniture, even non-functional pieces, without the landlord's written consent. You may be held responsible for the cost of the furniture, or worse, risk of accusations of theft.