North Dakota · Repairs · Updated Oct 2026

North Dakota tenant repair rights

What a landlord in North Dakota must keep in repair, how to ask for repairs, whether you can repair and deduct or withhold rent, and the protection against retaliation.

Short answer

The landlord must follow building and housing codes, make all repairs needed to keep the home fit and habitable, keep common areas clean and safe, keep electrical, plumbing, heating, air-conditioning and appliances working, provide trash containers and removal, and supply running water, reasonable hot water and reasonable heat.

Repair and deduct
Allowed (with conditions)
Withholding rent
No statute
Notice before entry
See the rule

Repairs in North Dakota

The landlord's duty
The landlord must follow building and housing codes, make all repairs needed to keep the home fit and habitable, keep common areas clean and safe, keep electrical, plumbing, heating, air-conditioning and appliances working, provide trash containers and removal, and supply running water, reasonable hot water and reasonable heat. N.D. Cent. Code 47-16-13.1.
How to ask for repairs
Tell the landlord about the problem (in writing is best, and keep a copy). The landlord gets a 'reasonable time' to fix it; the law does not set a number of days.
Repair and deduct
Allowed. If you notify the landlord of problems the landlord should fix and the landlord does not fix them within a reasonable time, you may repair them and deduct the cost from the rent. The law does not set a dollar cap. N.D. Cent. Code 47-16-13.
Withholding rent
No statute lets you simply stop paying rent. Instead, after notice and a reasonable time, you may repair and deduct, sue for the cost, or move out and stop owing rent. Not paying rent can get you evicted after a 3-day notice.
Law
N.D. Cent. Code 47-16-13, 47-16-13.1, 47-16-17

Landlord entry in North Dakota

No fixed number of hours. The landlord may enter only at reasonable hours and in a reasonable way, and must first notify you and get your consent for a specific time, unless that is impractical. You may not refuse consent unreasonably; if you don't object after notice, consent is presumed. The landlord may enter anytime in an emergency, if they reasonably believe you abandoned the unit, or if they reasonably believe you are seriously violating the lease. Entry may not be used to harass you. N.D. Cent. Code 47-16-07.3.

Retaliation in North Dakota

No general anti-retaliation statute was found. The only retaliation ban protects tenants who end a lease because of domestic violence (statutory damages of $1,000 plus actual damages and attorney fees). N.D. Cent. Code 47-16-17.1(10)-(11).

Get repairs made, step by step

  1. Write down the problem and take dated photos or video.
  2. Ask in writing and keep a copy. In North Dakota: Tell the landlord about the problem (in writing is best, and keep a copy).
  3. Give the landlord the time the rule allows, and let them in to do the work with proper notice.
  4. If nothing happens, call your local housing or code inspector and talk to legal aid before you stop paying any rent.
  5. Keep paying rent unless the rule above lets you withhold it and you follow its steps exactly.

Repair request letter for North Dakota

Ask your landlord in writing to fix the problem by a date. A written, dated request is the first step in almost every state, and it is proof that the landlord knew. Check the problems, add dates, then download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it). Sign it, keep a copy and photos, and send it in a way you can prove.

Your letter is made in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us or anyone else.

The name on your lease or rent receipts.

What needs repair? (required)

Your state's rule on repair requests is shown below the form.

North Dakota's rule on asking for repairs:Tell the landlord about the problem (in writing is best, and keep a copy). The landlord gets a 'reasonable time' to fix it; the law does not set a number of days.

Dates, rooms and how the problem affects you. This text goes into the letter as written.

Where to get free help in North Dakota

Questions about repairs in North Dakota

How do I ask my landlord for repairs in North Dakota?

Tell the landlord about the problem (in writing is best, and keep a copy). The landlord gets a 'reasonable time' to fix it; the law does not set a number of days.

Can I repair and deduct the cost from rent in North Dakota?

Allowed. If you notify the landlord of problems the landlord should fix and the landlord does not fix them within a reasonable time, you may repair them and deduct the cost from the rent. The law does not set a dollar cap. N.D. Cent. Code 47-16-13.

Can I withhold rent for repairs in North Dakota?

No statute lets you simply stop paying rent. Instead, after notice and a reasonable time, you may repair and deduct, sue for the cost, or move out and stop owing rent. Not paying rent can get you evicted after a 3-day notice.

How much notice does a landlord need to enter in North Dakota?

No fixed number of hours. The landlord may enter only at reasonable hours and in a reasonable way, and must first notify you and get your consent for a specific time, unless that is impractical. You may not refuse consent unreasonably; if you don't object after notice, consent is presumed. The landlord may enter anytime in an emergency, if they reasonably believe you abandoned the unit, or if they reasonably believe you are seriously violating the lease. Entry may not be used to harass you. N.D. Cent. Code 47-16-07.3.

Can my landlord retaliate if I complain in North Dakota?

No general anti-retaliation statute was found. The only retaliation ban protects tenants who end a lease because of domestic violence (statutory damages of $1,000 plus actual damages and attorney fees). N.D. Cent. Code 47-16-17.1(10)-(11).

More for North Dakota renters

Repairs in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.