North Carolina § 42-42 - 1. Water, electricity, and natural gas conservation.
Full text of North Carolina North Carolina General Statutes § 42-42 — 1. Water, electricity, and natural gas conservation., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 42-42. 1. Water, electricity, and natural gas conservation.
For the purpose of encouraging water, electricity, and natural gas conservation, pursuant to a written rental agreement, a lessor may charge for the cost of providing water or sewer service to lessees pursuant to G.S. 62-110(g), electric service pursuant to G.S. 62-110(h), natural gas service pursuant to G.S. 62-110(i), or for electricity or natural gas used by a central system pursuant to G.S. 62-110(j). The lessor may not disconnect or terminate the lessee's electric service, water or sewer services, or natural gas service, nor may the landlord terminate the lessee's receipt of the benefits of the use of a central system, due to the lessee's nonpayment of the amount due for electric service, water or sewer services, or natural gas service. History (2004-143, s. 4; 2011-252, s. 2; 2017-10, s. 2.2(a); 2017-172, s. 1; 2021-23, s. 27(a).) Editor's Note. - Session Laws 2017-10, s. 5.1 , is a severabil- ity clause. Effect of Amendments. - Session Laws 2011-252, s. 2, effective October 1, 2011, and applicable to leases entered into on or after that date, rewrote the section catchline, which formerly read: "Water Conservation"; in subsection (a), inserted "and electricity" and added "or electric service pursuant to G.S. 62-110(h) "; and in subsection (b), twice inserted "electric service or." Session Laws 2017-10, s. 2.2(a), effective May 4, 2017, deleted "who occupy the same contiguous premises" following "water or sewer service to tenants" in subsection (a). Session Laws 2017-172, s. 1, effective July 21, 2017, substituted "Water, electricity, and natural gas" for "Water and electricity" in the section heading; rewrote subsection (a) which formerly read: "For the purpose of encouraging water and electricity conservation, pursuant to a written rental agreement, a landlord may charge for the cost of providing water or sewer service to tenants who occupy the same contiguous premises pursuant to G.S. 62-110(g) or electric service pursuant to G.S. 62-110(h) ."; rewrote subsection (b) which formerly read: "The landlord may not disconnect or terminate the tenant's electric service or water or sewer services due to the tenant's nonpayment of the amount due for electric service or water or sewer services." Session Laws 2021-23, s. 27(a), effective October 1, 2021, rewrote this section.
Source: official North Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina § 42-42
What does North Carolina General Statutes § 42-42 cover?
Section 42-42 ("1. Water, electricity, and natural gas conservation.") is part of the North Carolina General Statutes, the codified statutory law of North Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite North Carolina § 42-42?
A common citation format is "North Carolina General Statutes § 42-42" (North Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of North Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the North Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed North Carolina attorney.
How does North Carolina § 42-42 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in North Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in North Carolina.