North Dakota · Security deposits · Updated Oct 2026

North Dakota security deposit law

How much a landlord in North Dakota can charge, the deadline to return a deposit, what may be deducted, the penalty for keeping it wrongly and how to get yours back.

Short answer

In North Dakota, the deposit limit is: One month's rent. The landlord must return it as follows: Within 30 days after the lease ends and you give back possession, the landlord must deliver or mail the refund and a written notice to the last address you gave.

deposit limit
1 month's rent (with exceptions)
to return a deposit
30 days
deposit penalty
Up to 3× (no reasonable basis)

Security deposit in North Dakota

Limit
One month's rent. The landlord may ask for up to two months' rent if you have a felony conviction or a past court judgment for breaking a lease. A separate pet deposit is allowed, up to $2,500 or two months' rent, whichever is more. No pet deposit for a service or assistance animal.
Deadline to return it
Within 30 days after the lease ends and you give back possession, the landlord must deliver or mail the refund and a written notice to the last address you gave. Give your landlord a forwarding address in writing.
Itemized list
Yes. Any amount kept must be itemized in writing and sent with the refund within 30 days. The notice must say how much is refunded or how much you still owe. The law does not require receipts.
What may be deducted
Unpaid rent; damage caused by you, your guests or your pet through negligence; cleaning or repairs needed to return the unit to its move-in condition. Normal wear and tear cannot be charged.
Interest
Yes. The deposit must earn interest and the interest goes to you, but only if you lived there at least 9 months.
Separate account
Yes. The deposit must be kept in a federally insured, interest-bearing savings or checking account for your benefit.
Move-in checklist
Yes. At signing, the landlord must give you a written statement of the unit's condition, signed by both of you. It is the starting proof of the unit's condition, so write down every existing problem before you sign.
If the landlord keeps it wrongly
Three times the amount wrongly kept (treble damages) if the landlord withholds deposit money without reasonable justification.
Law
N.D. Cent. Code 47-16-07.1, 47-16-07.2

Get your deposit back, step by step

  1. Before you move out, clean, take dated photos and video of every room, and return all keys.
  2. Give your landlord your new address in writing. In North Dakota: Give your landlord a forwarding address in writing.
  3. Wait for the deadline: Within 30 days after the lease ends and you give back possession, the landlord must deliver or mail the refund and a written notice to the last address you gave.
  4. If the money or an itemized list doesn't come, or the deductions are wrong, send a demand letter (below). Keep proof of mailing.
  5. If that doesn't work, sue in small claims court. Limit: $15,000. Small claims court in North Dakota on Small Claims Map

Deposit return calculator for North Dakota

Find your state's deadline for returning a security deposit, whether your landlord is late and what you may be owed. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Enter your deposit and move-out dateThe result appears as you type.

An estimate from the dates you enter and the rule in our data, not legal advice. We skip weekends only where the rule counts business days, and we don't skip holidays.

Security deposit demand letter for North Dakota

A short, firm and polite letter asking your landlord to return your deposit by a date. It cites your state's deposit law. Many landlords pay at this step, and the letter is proof that you asked. Fill this in, download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it), sign it, keep a copy and send it in a way you can prove, such as certified mail with a return receipt.

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.

We suggest 14 days.

One or two sentences. This text goes into the letter as written.

Small claims court in North Dakota

Deposit disputes usually go to small claims court, where you don't need a lawyer. Limit: $15,000.

How to file in North Dakota

Questions about security deposits in North Dakota

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in North Dakota?

One month's rent. The landlord may ask for up to two months' rent if you have a felony conviction or a past court judgment for breaking a lease. A separate pet deposit is allowed, up to $2,500 or two months' rent, whichever is more. No pet deposit for a service or assistance animal.

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

Within 30 days after the lease ends and you give back possession, the landlord must deliver or mail the refund and a written notice to the last address you gave. Give your landlord a forwarding address in writing.

What can I do if my landlord won't return my deposit in North Dakota?

Three times the amount wrongly kept (treble damages) if the landlord withholds deposit money without reasonable justification.

What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in North Dakota?

Unpaid rent; damage caused by you, your guests or your pet through negligence; cleaning or repairs needed to return the unit to its move-in condition. Normal wear and tear cannot be charged.

Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in North Dakota?

Yes. The deposit must earn interest and the interest goes to you, but only if you lived there at least 9 months.

What is the small claims limit in North Dakota?

$15,000.

More for North Dakota renters

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Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.