North Dakota Tenant Rights
North Dakota landlord-tenant law is governed by N.
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Key Laws by Topic
Eviction Laws
- Nonpayment Notice:
- 3-day written notice to pay rent or vacate
- Periodic Tenancy Notice:
- 30 days notice for month-to-month termination
- Just Cause Required:
- No — no just-cause eviction requirement
- Rent Control:
- No rent control in North Dakota
Security Deposit Laws
- Limit:
- 1 month's rent (more permitted for pet deposits)
- Return Deadline:
- 30 days after termination of tenancy
- Itemization Required:
- Yes — written itemized statement of deductions required
- Interest Required:
- No
- Bad Faith Penalty:
- Tenant may recover deposit plus damages for wrongful withholding
Repair & Habitability Laws
- Repair And Deduct:
- Not expressly authorized — tenants should seek court remedies
- Rent Withholding:
- Tenant may terminate lease for serious habitability violations
- Notice Required:
- Written notice to landlord required before exercising remedies
- Habitability Standards:
- Structural safety, weatherproofing, heating, plumbing, electrical systems
Tenant Harassment Laws
- Self Help Prohibited:
- Landlord must obtain court order to remove tenant; self-help is prohibited
- Quiet Enjoyment:
- Implied covenant of quiet enjoyment in all residential tenancies
- Remedies:
- Actual damages available for unlawful eviction or interference with quiet enjoyment
- Retaliation Prohibited:
- Courts have recognized retaliatory eviction as a defense
Notice & Entry Laws
- Notice Required:
- Reasonable advance notice required; no specific statutory number of hours
- Permissible Entry Reasons:
- Repairs, inspections, showing unit, emergencies
- Emergency Entry:
- Permitted without notice for genuine emergencies
- Lease Provisions:
- Lease may specify entry notice requirements
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