N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-43: Tenant's possession is landlord's.

When the relation of landlord and tenant has existed, the possession of the tenant is deemed the possession of the landlord, until the expiration of twenty years from the termination of the tenancy; or where there has been no written lease, until the expiration of twenty years from the time of the last payment of rent, notwithstanding that the tenant may have acquired another title, or may have claimed to hold adversely to his landlord. But such presumptions shall not be made after the periods herein limited. (C.C.P., s. 26; Code, s. 147; Rev., s. 387; C.S., s. 433.)