North Dakota
A North Dakota simple (basic) lease agreement creates a legal document that formalizes the relationship between landlords and tenants. This rental contract allows property owners to rent their properties, either fully or partially, to tenants in exchange for specified fees. Additionally, tenants agree to abide by the terms and conditions outlined in their North Dakota lease agreement. Every rental document must comply with state regulations while protecting both parties throughout the tenancy period.

North Dakota Simple Basic Lease Agreement
North Dakota Simple (Basic) Lease Agreement
North Dakota maintains landlord-friendly rental laws with minimal government restrictions. Initially, the state enforces no rent control laws, giving property owners complete pricing freedom. Furthermore, North Dakota places no specified limits on late fees that landlords can charge. Additionally, property owners can include late fee structures in their rental agreements. However, the state mandates no grace periods for late rent payments. Moreover, landlords face no licensing requirements to operate rental properties.
Subsequently, property owners should use rental applications to screen potential tenants before finalizing any North Dakota lease agreement.
Required North Dakota Lease Agreement Disclosures
North Dakota law requires landlords to provide certain disclosures in every rental contract:
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: For properties built before 1978, landlords must inform tenants of potential lead-based paint presence in their North Dakota lease agreement documentation. This disclosure protects tenants from health risks, particularly pregnant women and young children.
Property Condition Statement: Property owners must provide detailed statements about property conditions, including any furniture, fixtures, and utilities within their lease agreements.
North Dakota Lease Agreement Security Deposit Regulations
North Dakota regulates security deposits through specific requirements that balance landlord and tenant interests:
Security Deposit Limits and Return Requirements
Initially, landlords can charge security deposits equal to one month’s rent under North Dakota lease agreement terms. Additionally, property owners must return security deposits within thirty days after leases end, provided properties remain in suitable condition.
Security Deposit Interest and Banking Requirements
Furthermore, when occupancy periods exceed nine months, landlords must pay interest on security deposits to tenants. Moreover, property owners must keep security deposits in federally insured interest-bearing accounts for tenant benefit.
Security Deposit Withholding and Documentation Procedures
Finally, landlords can deduct from security deposits for damages, unpaid rent, cleaning, or repairs beyond normal wear and tear. However, property owners must provide written notices detailing these deductions along with remaining deposits under their North Dakota lease agreement provisions.
North Dakota Lease Agreement Rent Payment Requirements
Monthly Rent Due Dates and Payment Terms
Initially, rent becomes due on dates specified in rental contracts. However, when agreements don’t specify dates, rent becomes due at month endings under state law.
Late Fee Policies and Eviction Notice Requirements
Furthermore, while North Dakota sets no maximum late fees, they must remain reasonable and appear outlined in lease agreements. Additionally, common practice involves issuing 3-day notices to pay rent or quit when payments become overdue.
Tenant Rent Withholding and Repair Rights
Nevertheless, when landlords fail to make necessary repairs after tenant notification, renters may arrange for repairs themselves. Subsequently, tenants can deduct repair costs from their rent payments under their North Dakota lease agreement provisions.
Landlord Entry Rights Under North Dakota Lease Agreements
Property owners must adhere to specific notice requirements regarding entry into rental properties. Additionally, landlords must provide reasonable written or verbal notice to tenants before entering rental properties under their rental contract terms.
Property Maintenance Responsibilities
Landlord Repair Obligations and Standards
Initially, landlords must maintain rental units in habitable conditions by meeting basic health and safety standards. Furthermore, property owners must promptly address repair requests under their North Dakota lease agreement obligations.
Tenant Maintenance Responsibilities and Eviction Consequences
Meanwhile, when tenants fail to maintain essential utilities, landlords may initiate eviction proceedings. Additionally, property owners can provide three-day notices to quit for such violations.
How to Terminate a North Dakota Lease Agreement
Month-to-Month Tenancy Termination Requirements
For month-to-month tenancies, either party can terminate rental agreements by providing 30-day written notices to the other party. This standard notice period gives both parties adequate preparation time for tenancy changes.
Unclaimed Property Management and Disposal Procedures
Additionally, property valued under $2,500 left on premises can be sold or disposed of by landlords. However, property owners must wait at least 28 days after tenants have moved out before taking such action under North Dakota lease agreement regulations.
Key Takeaways for North Dakota Lease Agreements
Benefits for Property Owners
In conclusion, North Dakota’s landlord-friendly rental laws provide significant operational flexibility for property owners. Additionally, landlords benefit from no rent control restrictions, unlimited late fee structures (if reasonable), and minimal regulatory oversight.
Tenant Protection Features
Similarly, tenants still enjoy protections through interest-bearing security deposit requirements when occupancy exceeds nine months, rent withholding rights for repair issues, and fair property abandonment procedures.
Compliance and Success Factors
Therefore, understanding these North Dakota lease agreement requirements helps both parties create successful rental relationships while maintaining compliance with state regulations throughout tenancy periods.
North Dakota Lease Agreement Legal 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
In North Dakota, landlords can charge a security deposit of up to one month’s rent. They must return the deposit within thirty days after the lease ends, provided the property is in suitable condition. If the occupancy period exceeds nine months, landlords are required to pay interest on the security deposit.
A tenant can terminate a month-to-month lease in North Dakota by providing a 30-day written notice to the landlord. This notice must be given before the next rental payment is due.
No, North Dakota does not have rent control laws. Landlords are free to set rental prices without any state-imposed limits.
Landlords renting properties built before 1978 must disclose the presence of lead-based paint to tenants. This is crucial as lead exposure can lead to serious health issues, particularly in young children and pregnant women.
Landlords in North Dakota are responsible for keeping rental units habitable by meeting basic health and safety standards. They must promptly address repair requests from tenants to ensure the property remains in good condition.
If a tenant fails to pay rent, landlords can issue a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit. If the tenant does not comply, the landlord may initiate eviction proceedings.
No, landlords must provide reasonable written or verbal notice to tenants before entering the rental property. This ensures tenants are aware and can prepare for the visit.
Landlords can deduct from a tenant’s security deposit for damages, unpaid rent, cleaning, or repairs that exceed normal wear and tear. They must provide written notice detailing these deductions along with the remaining deposit.