State Law Guide · Updated January 2026
Your landlord's deductions may not hold up under state law.
North Dakota Security Deposit Laws
Under North Dakota Century Code § 47-16-07.1, North Dakota landlords must return security deposits within 30 days of a tenant moving out. Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits face penalties of up to Actual damages plus attorney fees.
Quick Answer
In North Dakota, landlords have 30 days to return your security deposit after you move out and provide a forwarding address. The maximum deposit is 1 month's rent (or $2,500 for properties with pet damage waiver). If your landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you can sue in Small Claims Court (up to $15,000) and may recover Actual damages plus attorney fees under North Dakota Century Code § 47-16-07.1. Landlords must provide an itemized statement of deductions.
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What North Dakota Law Requires
Return Deadline
Landlords have exactly 30 days to return your deposit after you move out. If they make deductions, they must provide an itemized statement explaining each charge with documentation.
Penalties for Violations
Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits face Actual damages plus attorney fees. You can file in small claims court for amounts up to $15,000without needing an attorney.
Interest Requirements
No interest requirement
Your landlord was required to follow these rules exactly. If they didn't, you may be owed your full deposit back — plus penalties. A generic complaint gets ignored. A letter citing North Dakota Century Code § 47-16-07.1 deadlines and HUD depreciation schedules gets results. Upload their deduction letter to find out.
Common Deductions Landlords Make
Federal guidelines from HUD and the IRS establish "useful life" standards that limit what landlords can charge. Many common deductions are partially or fully invalid under these guidelines.
Carpet Replacement
Typical: $400-1,3005-year useful life per HUD MAP Guide Appendix 5C. Charges may be reduced or invalid based on how long you lived there.
Heating System
Typical: $200-60015-year useful life per IRS Publication 527. Charges may be reduced or invalid based on how long you lived there.
How It Works
Upload Letter
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AI Analyzes Charges
Each deduction checked against North Dakota law and HUD guidelines
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Get a Demand Letter That Cites These Laws
Our tool analyzes your landlord's deductions against North Dakota Century Code § 47-16-07.1 and federal HUD guidelines, then generates a formal demand letter you can send immediately.
Legal Demand Letter
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HUD/IRS Citations
Useful life depreciation built in
"I waited 30 days and no accounting arrived. Sent the letter and my landlord returned my full deposit the next day."
— Fargo, ND
$19 to recover up to $900. That's a 47x return.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a North Dakota landlord have to return my deposit?
North Dakota landlords have 30 days to return your deposit with an itemized statement of deductions.
What is the deposit limit in North Dakota?
1 month's rent normally, but properties offering pet damage waivers may charge up to $2,500.
How much can I recover in North Dakota for a wrongful deposit withholding?
North Dakota allows recovery of actual damages plus reasonable attorney fees under NDCC § 47-16-07.1. Small Claims Court handles disputes up to $15,000—one of the highest limits in the country. With typical North Dakota deposits of $900, recoveries are usually limited to actual amounts.
Have your landlord's deduction letter handy?
How long does it take to resolve a security deposit dispute in North Dakota?
After North Dakota's 30-day deadline, most disputes resolve within 3-5 weeks of a demand letter. North Dakota Small Claims Court hearings are typically scheduled within 30-60 days of filing—efficient relative to many other states.
Official Resources
- North Dakota Attorney General Consumer Protection(Government)
- Legal Services of North Dakota(Legal Aid)
Compare Other States
See how North Dakota's security deposit laws compare to nearby states:
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Average North Dakota deposit: $900 · Based on North Dakota Century Code § 47-16-07.1 · HUD Handbook 4350.1 · IRS Publication 527