Eviction in Orange County, North Carolina
Where eviction cases are filed in Orange County, what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Orange County
- Eviction court
- Orange County District Court - Small Claims (magistrate) — Small claims court (magistrate) Court page
- Notice before filing (state law)
- If the lease has no forfeiture (re-entry) clause for nonpayment, the landlord must make a demand for all past-due rent and wait 10 days before the term is forfeited. If the lease has such a clause, the statute requires no pre-filing notice. North Carolina rules
- HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
- $1,711/month HUD
- Renter households
- 20,736 (36% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-28
Where eviction cases are filed in Orange County
Eviction cases in Orange County are heard by the Orange County District Court - Small Claims (magistrate) (Small claims court (magistrate)).
Court eviction page · Self-help center
Orange County's eviction guide says evictions are heard in small claims court and that an eviction diversion attorney will be at court. Tenants facing eviction can contact the county Housing Helpline (919-245-2655, weekdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; housinghelp@orangecountync.gov) for referral to free legal advice.
How eviction cases work locally
| Eviction Diversion Program | Orange County's Eviction Diversion Program helps tenants avoid eviction and resolve landlord disputes; Housing Helpline staff refer tenants who need legal help for free legal advice and possible court representation. Source: Official source |
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The North Carolina eviction process
North Carolina state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Orange County:
- Notice (if required): 10-day demand for rent if the lease lacks a forfeiture clause (§ 42-3); notice to quit for holdovers (§ 42-14)
- Landlord files a Complaint in Summary Ejectment with the clerk of superior court
- Clerk issues summons to appear within 7 days (excluding weekends/holidays); served by sheriff (mail plus attempted personal delivery or posting) or certified mail (§§ 42-28, 42-29)
- Hearing before a magistrate; judgment for possession (§ 42-30)
- 10-day appeal period to District Court; landlord cannot remove the tenant until it ends; tenant can stay execution on appeal by paying undisputed rent into court (§ 42-34)
- Clerk issues Writ of Possession; sheriff must execute within 5 days of receipt, gives notice of the approximate time, and the landlord padlocks the unit (§ 42-36.2)
Full North Carolina eviction rules with sources →
Rent in Orange County
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $1,417 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,507 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,711 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,117 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,527 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Orange County: $1,496/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
County tenant ordinance
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; summary ejectment follows N.C. Gen. Stat. ch. 42.
Eviction help in Orange County
Free legal help
- Legal Aid of North Carolina - Central Carolina (Carrboro) office — Serves Alamance, Anson, Chatham, Harnett, Lee, Moore, Orange and Richmond counties; 205 W Main Street, Suite 203, Carrboro, NC 27510; 919-542-0475 or 1-800-672-5834; by appointment only. Helps with evictions (https://legalaidnc.org/get-help/).
Rental assistance
- Orange County Emergency Housing Assistance — Help with past-due rent, landlord fees and housing-related court fees, up to $4,500 per household once per fiscal year, for households at or below 30% of Area Median Income with a qualifying life-changing event or an active eviction summons. Apply via the Housing Helpline (919-245-2655), online, or at the Chapel Hill or Hillsborough housing offices (919-245-2490).
Tenant and eviction lawyers in Orange County
Other North Carolina counties
- Eviction in Mecklenburg County (Charlotte)
- Eviction in Wake County (Raleigh)
- Eviction in Guilford County (Greensboro, High Point)
- Eviction in Durham County (Durham)
- Eviction in Cumberland County (Fayetteville)
- Eviction in Forsyth County (Winston-Salem)
- Eviction in New Hanover County (Wilmington)
- Eviction in Pitt County (Greenville)
- Eviction in Buncombe County (Asheville)
- Eviction in Gaston County (Gastonia)
- Eviction in Onslow County (Jacksonville)
- Eviction in Alamance County
- Eviction in Cabarrus County
- Eviction in Iredell County
- Eviction in Johnston County
- Eviction in Catawba County
- Eviction in Wayne County
- Eviction in Davidson County
- Eviction in Rowan County
- Eviction in Randolph County
- Eviction in Union County
- Eviction in Robeson County
Related
- North Carolina landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in North Carolina
- North Carolina eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in North Carolina (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in Orange County?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Orange County?
What is the fair market rent in Orange County?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.