Do this today
- Keep the paper. Photograph every page.
- Write the date, time, and how it arrived.
- Look for Wake County small claims — summary ejectment, a case number, or an appearance date.
- If a court is named, call legal aid the same day. Do not guess the deadline.
What were you handed?
| The paper | What it usually is | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord notice | A step before a court case. Not a judgment, and not a lockout. | Date it. Keep the original. Write down how it arrived. Check whether it offers a chance to fix the problem. |
| Court papers | A case has been filed. A court name, case number, or appearance date is running. | Call legal aid the same day. Do not ignore it. Bring the papers and a timeline of how you received them. |
| Lockout or shutoff | Locks changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit. | Call 211 and legal aid today. In most states a landlord may not do this personally. Police non-emergency can document it. |
Is a notice in Raleigh the same as being evicted?
No. A written landlord notice is a step. Wake County small claims — summary ejectment is where a possession case is heard. Papers that name a court, a case number, or an appearance date mean a case has been filed — that is same-day legal-aid work. North Carolina Chapter 42 is the book. Raleigh 311/code is the conditions door.
What should I be careful not to do?
Do not ignore court papers. Do not assume a lockout is lawful because a notice looks official. Do not sign a move-out or cash-for-keys paper you have not read with an advocate. Raleigh 311 is not a substitute for legal aid once a case is filed.
What court hears a Raleigh eviction?
Wake County small claims — often called summary ejectment. North Carolina Chapter 42 is the book. Raleigh 311/code is the conditions door. A Charlotte ordinance is not a Raleigh ordinance.
The Raleigh layer
North Carolina Chapter 42 is the book. Raleigh 311/code is the conditions door.
North Carolina landlord and tenant chapter (N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-1 to 42-76) is the North Carolina floor. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
Raleigh questions
Can my landlord in Raleigh evict me without going to court?
No. Changing locks or shutting off utilities is not how possession is completed. Wake County small claims — summary ejectment is the court. If the paper names it, call legal aid the same day.
How long does an eviction notice last in Raleigh?
That number is in North Carolina landlord and tenant chapter, and it can depend on the reason, the housing type, and any local ordinance. This site does not reprint it. Open the chapter or call legal aid with the paper in your hand.
What court hears a Raleigh eviction?
Wake County small claims — often called summary ejectment. North Carolina Chapter 42 is the book. Raleigh 311/code is the conditions door. A Charlotte ordinance is not a Raleigh ordinance.
What number should I call in Raleigh?
Danger: 911. Mental-health crisis: 988. City services: 311. Court papers: LawHelp.org the same day. Raleigh 311 does not replace legal aid when a case is filed.
National answers on this desk
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org