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North Dakota Landlord-Tenant Laws

This overview summarizes common North Dakota landlord-tenant topics using published statute references (North Dakota Century Code 47-16). Laws change — confirm details with official sources.

North Dakota at a glance: Security deposit limit: 1 month's rent. Return deadline: 30 days. Month-to-month notice: 30 days. Source: North Dakota Century Code 47-16.
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Security Deposit Laws

Maximum Deposit:

1 month's rent

Return Deadline:

30 days

Interest Required:

Yes

The rule: Max 1 month's rent (up to 2 months from a tenant with a felony conviction or a judgment for breaking a previous lease), plus a separate pet deposit. The deposit is kept in an interest-bearing account. Within 30 days after the lease ends and the tenant gives up possession, the landlord must return it with interest (none if the tenancy lasted under 9 months), or an itemized list of deductions with any refund. Unjustified withholding can cost triple damages (N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1).

Landlords should provide an itemized deduction list when withholding any portion of the deposit.

Reviewed · N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1

Eviction Notice Requirements

Nonpayment of Rent:

3 days notice

Lease Violation:

3 days notice

Court filing and service rules vary by county. Use our eviction timeline calculator for planning.

Notice to Vacate

Month-to-Month Lease:

30 days notice

Fixed-Term Lease:

No notice required if lease ends

Late Rent Fees

Grace Period:

No statutory requirement

Maximum Late Fee:

No limit

Additional Regulations

Rent Control:

No statewide rent control

Landlord Entry Notice:

Reasonable notice

Primary statute reference: North Dakota Century Code 47-16

When to use North Dakota document templates

Use LeaseCraft templates when you need PDF and editable DOCX lease and notice forms built for North Dakota landlords and tenants. Start with the residential lease generator, then add notices from the sidebar.

Common mistakes in North Dakota

  • Relying on verbal agreements instead of a written lease with required disclosures
  • Missing the security deposit return deadline (30 days)
  • Serving eviction or termination notices with incorrect day counts

Frequently asked questions

In North Dakota the security deposit limit is 1 month's rent. The return deadline is 30 days. Max 1 month's rent (up to 2 months from a tenant with a felony conviction or a judgment for breaking a previous lease), plus a separate pet deposit. The deposit is kept in an interest-bearing account. Within 30 days after the lease ends and the tenant gives up possession, the landlord must return it with interest (none if the tenancy lasted under 9 months), or an itemized list of deductions with any refund. Unjustified withholding can cost triple damages (N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1).

Confirm current rules in North Dakota Century Code 47-16.

North Dakota month-to-month tenancies typically require 30 days written notice unless the lease specifies otherwise.

Use our North Dakota lease agreement generator to build a residential lease with state-structured clauses. Preview free before download.

Guides

Landlord Responsibilities Eviction Process

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