When can I mail pay or quit notice in NC?

[Andreas W.]

This is a question I have received varying answers to. In NC you can levy a 5% late fee at the 6th day after rent was due. And before you can file for summary ejectment in small claims court, you have to send out and wait a 10 day pay or quit notice. My questions is, how quickly can the landlord or PM send out the notice. Most often, the answer I have received is on the 6th day after rent was due. I have not found a confirmation for that answer in the state statutes. In fact, I would prefer to send out the notice earlier in order to lose less time before I can rerent the property. Are there any PM or experienced landlords who can chime in?