North Dakota security deposit law

Security Deposit Laws in North Dakota: What Your Landlord Can and Cannot Keep

Your landlord has 30 days under North Dakota law to return your security deposit, or you may be owed more than what they withheld. If they keep more than they're legally allowed, you can dispute it.

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North Dakota security deposit return timeline

Deadline to return

30 days

Statute

N.D.C.C. § 47-16-07.1(3)-(4)

Itemization of any portion not paid to the lessee, together with the amount due, must be delivered or mailed to the lessee at the last address furnished to the lessor, along with written notice, within 30 days after termination of the lease AND delivery of possession by the lessee. The notice must state any amount still due the lessor or the refund due the lessee. The lessor need not pay interest if the occupancy was less than nine months. Amounts unclaimed for one year after termination fall under unclaimed-property reporting (§ 47-30.2-04). Where a domestic-violence victim terminates under § 47-16-17.1, that section's subsection 8 controls when the deposit-payment clock is triggered.

What can a landlord legally deduct in North Dakota?

Allowed

  • ✓Damages from deterioration or injury to the property caused by the lessee's pet or through the negligence of the lessee or the lessee's guest
  • ✓Unpaid rent
  • ✓Costs of cleaning or other repairs that were the lessee's responsibility and are necessary to return the unit to its original state, reasonable wear and tear excepted

Not allowed

  • ✗Reasonable wear and tear

What if your landlord keeps your deposit wrongfully in North Dakota?

TREBLE (3x) DAMAGES: 'A lessor is liable for treble damages for any security deposit money withheld without reasonable justification.' N.D.C.C. § 47-16-07.1(4).

How TenantNex helps

  1. 1. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
  2. 2. We generate a demand letter citing N.D.C.C. § 47-16-07.1(3)-(4) and your exact deadline.
  3. 3. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
  4. 4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.

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North Dakota tenant rights resources

Every fact on this page is verified against North Dakota's official statutory text as of 2026-09-04. TenantNex prepares legal correspondence as a document preparation service, not as your attorney. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in North Dakota.

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  • Day-7 and day-14 follow-up with your next steps
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What TenantNex is — and isn't

TenantNex is a document preparation and delivery service, not a law firm. We prepare and send correspondence using publicly available state statutes. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or guarantee any outcome. For complex legal matters, consult a licensed attorney in your state.