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Landlord's Desk

State law guide · Checked November 14, 2026

North Dakota landlord rules: late fees, deposits and rent increases

North Dakota's leasing chapter says nothing on late fees, but it is specific about deposits. It caps their size, requires an interest-bearing account, and sets treble damages for wrongful withholding. Here is what chapter 47-16 of the Century Code says, with the section for each rule.

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The short version

  • The statute sets no late fee cap and no required grace period. Your lease sets both.
  • Deposit limit: one month's rent, with higher limits for a tenant with a felony conviction or a prior judgment for violating a rental agreement.
  • Return the deposit within 30 days after the lease ends and the tenant delivers possession, with deductions itemized.
  • Keep the deposit in a federally insured interest-bearing account for the tenant. No interest is required if the tenant stayed under nine months.
  • A month-to-month rent increase needs 30 days' written notice before the end of the month, and cities can't adopt rent control.

Late fees in North Dakota

Limit
None in the statute. N.D. Cent. Code ch. 47-16
Grace period
None in the statute. N.D. Cent. Code ch. 47-16
Other conditions
None specific to late fees. A court may refuse to enforce an unconscionable term in a residential rental agreement. N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-13.3

Security deposits in North Dakota

Maximum deposit
One month's rent. Up to two months' rent for a tenant with a felony conviction or a prior judgment for violating a rental agreement. A separate pet deposit may be up to the greater of $2,500 or two months' rent. N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1(1), (2)
Return deadline
30 days after the lease ends and the tenant delivers possession. N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1(3)
Itemized deductions
Required, within the same 30 days. Any part not returned must be itemized and sent to the tenant's last furnished address, with the amount due. N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1(3)
Interest
Required, paid to the tenant when the lease ends. No interest is required if the tenant stayed under nine months. The statute sets no rate. N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1(1), (3)
How it's held
In a federally insured interest-bearing savings or checking account for the benefit of the tenant. The statute has no bond requirement. N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1(1)
Penalty
Treble damages for any deposit money withheld without reasonable justification. N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1(4)

Rent increases in North Dakota

Notice to raise rent
At least 30 days' written notice before the end of the month, for a month-to-month tenancy. The increase takes effect at the end of the month. The tenant may then end the tenancy at month's end with at least 25 days' notice. Check your lease for its own notice term. N.D. Cent. Code §§ 47-16-07, 47-16-15(3)
Statewide cap
None in the statute. N.D. Cent. Code ch. 47-16
City rent control
Not allowed. A political subdivision may not enact, maintain, or enforce an ordinance or resolution that controls the amount of rent. The exception is property on which the subdivision holds fee title. N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-02.1

This page covers North Dakota state law for ordinary residential rentals. Cities and counties can add their own rules, and subsidized housing and mobile home lots follow different ones. The North Dakota Legislature publishes chapter 47-16 as one document, so the links above go to the full chapter rather than to each section.

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Questions landlords ask

Is there a late fee limit for rent in North Dakota?

Not in chapter 47-16 of the Century Code. The lease sets the late fee and any grace period, and a court may refuse to enforce an unconscionable term (N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-13.3).

What is the maximum security deposit in North Dakota?

One month's rent, with up to two months' rent for a tenant with a felony conviction or a prior judgment for violating a rental agreement. A separate pet deposit may be up to the greater of $2,500 or two months' rent (N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1).

How long does a North Dakota landlord have to return a security deposit?

30 days after the lease ends and the tenant delivers possession, with any deductions itemized (N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1(3)). Wrongly withheld money can bring treble damages (§ 47-16-07.1(4)).

Free templates you can use in North Dakota

These are plain templates that aren’t tied to one state. Fill in the numbers your statute and lease call for.

Keep North Dakota rent and deposits on one ledger

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This guide is general information, not legal advice. It summarizes state statutes as read on November 14, 2026; laws change and courts interpret them. Check the current statute (N.D. Century Code, chapter 47-16) or talk to a local attorney before you act.