How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in North Dakota?

Security deposit may not exceed one month's rent, with limited exceptions for pets or certain tenant histories. (N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1) The deposit must be accounted for within 30 days after the tenancy ends (N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1).

Is there a limit on late fees in North Dakota?

North Dakota sets no statutory late-fee cap; the fee must be stated in the lease.

How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in North Dakota?

North Dakota requires reasonable notice before entry rather than a fixed number of hours. That agreed period is 24 hours.

How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in North Dakota?

Either party must give at least 30 days' written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. (N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-15)

What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in North Dakota?

Tenant has 3 days to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for possession. (N.D. Cent. Code § 47-32-01) The case is filed as an eviction in District Court. A landlord may never change the locks or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.

Does a residential lease have to be in writing in North Dakota?

A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. A written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to North Dakota with the statutory citations printed in it.

North Dakota Residential Lease Agreement

A lease that works in the State of North Dakota has to respect North Dakota landlord-tenant law: a security deposit capped at one month's rent, accounted for within 30 days of move-out, and no statutory ceiling on late fees. Below is every number that governs a North Dakota tenancy, with the statute it comes from.

Read the whole lease before you pay. $14.99 to download, or three for $29.

North Dakota rental law at a glance

Each row is the rule Landy applies when it builds a North Dakota lease. The citation is printed in the finished document too, so a tenant can check it.

North Dakota landlord-tenant rules with statutory citations
Rule	North Dakota	Citation
Security deposit limit	one month's rentSecurity deposit may not exceed one month's rent, with limited exceptions for pets or certain tenant histories.	N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1
Deposit return deadline	30 daysLandlord must return the deposit or an itemized statement within 30 days after termination.	N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1
Interest on deposits	RequiredNorth Dakota requires interest on deposits where the tenancy is at least nine months.	N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1
Late fee limit	No statutory limitNorth Dakota sets no statutory late-fee cap; the fee must be stated in the lease.	No statute on point
Grace period before rent is late	No statutory grace periodNorth Dakota sets no statutory grace period for rent.	No statute on point
Notice to pay or quit	3 daysTenant has 3 days to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for possession.	N.D. Cent. Code § 47-32-01
Time to cure a lease violation	3 daysTenant generally has 3 days to remedy a curable lease violation.	N.D. Cent. Code § 47-32-01
Ending a month-to-month tenancy	30 days' noticeEither party must give at least 30 days' written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy.	N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-15
Notice before landlord entry	No statute — Landy's lease sets 24 hours by agreementNorth Dakota requires reasonable notice before entry rather than a fixed number of hours.	N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.3

Disclosures a North Dakota lease must carry

Missing a required disclosure is the most common way an otherwise fine lease creates a problem. Landy adds these automatically, plus any that apply only to your specific property.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Lead from paint, paint chips, and dust can pose health hazards if not managed properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women. Before renting pre-1978 housing, landlords must disclose the presence of known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in the dwelling, provide any available records and reports to the tenant, and give the tenant the EPA-approved pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home." Tenant acknowledges receipt of this information by signing below.
42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 24 C.F.R. Part 35; 40 C.F.R. Part 745 · applies to housing built before 1978

If things go wrong in North Dakota

Where eviction is filed

District Court, as an eviction.

Governing law

Cited from the North Dakota Century Code.

Never self-help

Changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out is unlawful. A court order is the only route.

North Dakota lease questions, answered

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in North Dakota?: Security deposit may not exceed one month's rent, with limited exceptions for pets or certain tenant histories. (N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1) The deposit must be accounted for within 30 days after the tenancy ends (N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1).
Is there a limit on late fees in North Dakota?: North Dakota sets no statutory late-fee cap; the fee must be stated in the lease.
How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in North Dakota?: North Dakota requires reasonable notice before entry rather than a fixed number of hours. That agreed period is 24 hours.
How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in North Dakota?: Either party must give at least 30 days' written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. (N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-15)
What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in North Dakota?: Tenant has 3 days to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for possession. (N.D. Cent. Code § 47-32-01) The case is filed as an eviction in District Court. A landlord may never change the locks or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.
Does a residential lease have to be in writing in North Dakota?: A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. A written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to North Dakota with the statutory citations printed in it.

Build a North Dakota lease with these rules already in it.

Answer questions in plain English. Landy writes the North Dakota lease around your answers, applies every limit above, and shows you the finished document before you decide to pay.

Lease laws in other states

This page summarizes North Dakota law for general information and is not legal advice. Landy is a self-help document service, not a law firm. Cities and counties may impose additional requirements, and statutes change. Have a licensed North Dakota attorney review your lease before you rely on it.