North Dakota Eviction Notice
A North Dakota eviction notice is a legal document that landlords use to inform tenants of violations of the lease agreement, such as non-payment of rent or other lease breaches. Furthermore, this notice serves as the formal starting point for the eviction process, allowing tenants the required time to respond or vacate the premises.

North Dakota Eviction Notice
Types of North Dakota Eviction Notices
Landlords in North Dakota may utilize different types of eviction notices based on the reason for eviction. Moreover, understanding these distinctions helps ensure proper legal compliance throughout the process.
Short-Term Notices (3 Days)
3-Day Notice to Quit (Non-Payment of Rent)
Grounds: Landlords issue this notice when a tenant fails to pay rent. Additionally, this type covers the most common eviction scenario in rental properties.
Notice Period: The tenant must pay the overdue rent or vacate the premises within three calendar days after receiving the notice. Therefore, this brief timeframe emphasizes the urgency of rent payment.
Legal Reference: North Dakota Century Code § 47-32-01.4 governs this notice type.
3-Day Notice to Comply or Vacate
Grounds: Landlords issue this notice for curable lease violations, such as failure to maintain health and safety standards or interfering with neighbors’ quiet enjoyment. Consequently, tenants receive an opportunity to correct these violations.
Notice Period: The tenant must correct the violation or vacate within three calendar days. However, this notice type allows for corrective action before requiring departure.
Legal Reference: North Dakota Century Code § 47-32-01(8) and § 47-32-02 provide the legal framework.
3-Day Notice to Vacate
Grounds: Landlords issue this notice for incurable lease violations, such as substantial property damage or illegal activity. Furthermore, these serious violations cannot be corrected through tenant action.
Notice Period: The tenant must vacate within three calendar days. Therefore, no opportunity for correction exists with this notice type.
Legal Reference: North Dakota Century Code § 47-32-01(8) and § 47-32-02 establish these requirements.
Long-Term Notices (30 Days)
30-Day Notice to Vacate
Grounds: Landlords use this notice to terminate month-to-month tenancies or fixed-term rental agreements. Additionally, this notice type covers lease terminations without violation circumstances.
Notice Period: The tenant must vacate within thirty calendar days. Moreover, this extended timeframe allows tenants adequate time to find alternative housing.
Legal Reference: North Dakota Century Code § 47-16-07 governs these terminations.
Eviction Process in North Dakota
The eviction process in North Dakota consists of several critical steps that landlords must follow to ensure compliance with state law. Furthermore, each step builds upon the previous one to create a comprehensive legal framework.
Initial Notice Phase
Step 1: Serve Notice
Landlords must serve the appropriate eviction notice to the tenant. Additionally, proper service establishes the legal foundation for potential court proceedings.
Required Notice Elements
The notice must include specific information to be legally valid:
Tenant Information: The tenant’s full name and address. Therefore, this ensures proper identification of all parties involved.
Violation Details: A clear statement of the lease violation or reason for eviction. Moreover, specific documentation helps tenants understand the exact issue.
Notice Content Requirements
Compliance Timeline: The date by which the tenant must comply or vacate. Consequently, this establishes clear expectations for tenant response.
Landlord Authentication: The landlord’s printed name, signature, and address. Furthermore, this provides legal validation and contact information.
Service Documentation: The date and method of delivery. Additionally, this creates a legal record of proper notice service.
Court Filing Phase
Step 2: File Summons and Complaint
If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file a Summons and Complaint with the local district court. Subsequently, the landlord must also serve the tenant with these documents.
Step 3: File Proof of Service
The landlord must gather and file proof of service for both the eviction notice and the Summons and Complaint, along with any necessary court fees. Therefore, this documentation proves proper legal service to the court.
Legal Proceedings Phase
Step 4: Attend Court Hearing
The court schedules a hearing for both parties. Moreover, if the tenant fails to appear or the court rules in favor of the landlord, the judge issues a judgment requiring the tenant to vacate.
Enforcement Phase
Step 5: Obtain Writ of Eviction
If the tenant does not vacate after the judgment, the landlord can seek a Writ of Eviction to authorize removal by law enforcement. Consequently, this final step ensures compliance through official enforcement mechanisms.
Legal Requirements for Eviction Notices
To ensure that eviction notices are legally compliant, landlords must adhere to specific requirements. Furthermore, failure to meet these standards can invalidate the notice and delay the eviction process.
Notice Period Requirements
Landlords must provide the correct amount of notice based on the reason for eviction. Additionally, different violation types require different timeframes for tenant response.
Proper Service Methods
Landlords must ensure the notice reaches the tenant properly through approved methods. Moreover, acceptable delivery options include several different approaches:
Direct Service Options
Personal Delivery: Direct service to the tenant. Therefore, this method provides immediate confirmation of receipt.
Substitute Service: Delivery to a suitable person at the tenant’s address. However, this option requires the recipient to be of appropriate age and discretion.
Mail Service Options
Certified Mail: Delivery through certified mail service. Consequently, this method provides postal documentation of delivery.
Documentation Requirements
Landlords must maintain proof of service as courts may require it during proceedings. Furthermore, comprehensive documentation supports successful legal proceedings and demonstrates proper procedure compliance.
Statutes
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07 – Leases – Notice by landlord to change terms – When effective
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1(1) – Real property and dwelling security deposits – Limitations and requirements
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1(2) – Real property and dwelling security deposits – Limitations and requirements
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1(3) – Real property and dwelling security deposits – Limitations and requirements
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1(4) – Real property and dwelling security deposits – Limitations and requirements
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.2 – Statement detailing condition of premises to accompany rental agreement
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.3(1) – When landlord may enter apartment
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.3(2) – When landlord may enter apartment
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-13 – When lessee may repair or vacate premises
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-13.1 – Landlord obligations – Maintenance of premises
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-13.2 – Tenant obligations – Maintenance of dwelling unit
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-13.5 – Mitigation of damages
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-13.6 – Enforcement of sections 47-16-13.1 through 47-16-13.6
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-13.7 – Eviction – Lessee liable for rent during term of lease
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-14 – When a lease of real property terminates
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-15(1) – Notice of termination of lease
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-15(2) – Notice of termination of lease
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-17.1 – Termination due to domestic abuse
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-32-01 – When eviction maintainable
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-32-02 – Appearance – Notice of intention to evict – When required – When and how served
- N.D. Cent. Code § 27-08.1-01(1) – Small claims court – Jurisdictional limits – Venue
- N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-16 – Actions having six-year limitations
- N.D. Cent. Code § 6-08-16(2)(a) – Issuing check or draft without sufficient funds or credit – Notice – Time limitation – Financial liability – Penalty
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-20 – Rent Fees
- N.D. Cent. Code § 32-03-29 – Damages for forcible exclusion from realty
- N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-39.1 – Obligation to pay royalties
FAQs
A North Dakota eviction notice is a legal document used by landlords to inform tenants of lease violations, such as unpaid rent or lease breaches. It provides tenants with a specified time frame to rectify the issue or vacate the premises, typically three days for most violations.
In North Dakota, an eviction notice can be served through various methods, including personal delivery to the tenant, delivery to a suitable person at the tenant’s address, or via certified mail. It’s important to retain proof of service, as it may be required in court.
North Dakota offers several types of eviction notices, including the 3-Day Notice to Quit for non-payment of rent, the 3-Day Notice to Comply or Vacate for lease violations, and the 30-Day Notice to Vacate for terminating month-to-month tenancies.
If a tenant fails to comply with an eviction notice within the specified time frame, the landlord can file a Summons and Complaint in the local district court to initiate the eviction process. A court hearing will be scheduled to determine the outcome.
The duration of the eviction process in North Dakota can vary. Typically, after serving a notice, if the tenant does not vacate, the landlord may need to wait for the notice period to expire, followed by court proceedings, which can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months.
Grounds for eviction in North Dakota include non-payment of rent, lease violations, illegal activities on the property, and the termination of month-to-month tenancies. Each reason requires a specific type of notice and corresponding notice period.
No, a landlord cannot evict a tenant without first providing a legally compliant eviction notice. This notice must specify the reason for eviction and give the tenant an opportunity to rectify the situation or vacate the property.
A North Dakota eviction notice should include the tenant’s full name and address, the specific lease violation or reason for eviction, the date of termination, and the landlord’s signature and contact information. It should also note the method of delivery.