North Dakota Security Deposit Demand Letter
In North Dakota, a landlord has 30 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions (as of 2026; source: N.D. Cent. Code §47-16-07.1). This letter cites that deadline, states the amount and your forwarding address, and gives the landlord a date to respond before you file. Free, no signup.
Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
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North Dakota deposit rules at a glance
- Return deadline
- 30 days after move-out
- Deposit cap
- 1 month's rent (2 if pets)
As of 2026. Source: N.D. Cent. Code §47-16-07.1 ↗. Want the exact due date? Use the deposit return calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a North Dakota landlord have to return the deposit?
30 days after you move out, as of 2026 (source: N.D. Cent. Code §47-16-07.1). Counted in calendar days; check the statute for whether the clock starts at move-out, lease end, or receipt of your forwarding address, and whether a weekend deadline rolls over. Use the deposit return calculator to get the exact date.
Is there a limit on how much deposit a North Dakota landlord can charge?
Yes: 1 month's rent (2 if pets) (as of 2026; source: N.D. Cent. Code §47-16-07.1). If you paid more than the cap, say so in the letter; the excess is usually recoverable too.
How much can I sue for in North Dakota if the landlord ignores this?
$15,000 max for recovery of money, certain tenant damage claims, or cancellation of agreements involving fraud/deception/misrepresentation; counterclaims also capped at $15,000 (N.D.C.C. § 27-08.1-01, verified from official chapter text). The court is the Small Claims Court (District Court), and the filing fee is $20 — N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03(1)(e): 'For filing a small claims action in district court, twenty dollars' (official Century Code PDF). As of 2026; source: N.D.C.C. ch. 27-08.1.
Do I need a lawyer in North Dakota small claims?
Attorneys are Allowed but optional (§ 27-08.1-03: parties 'may appear without counsel'). If the defendant removes the case to regular district court and the plaintiff still prevails, the court SHALL award attorney's fees to the plaintiff (§ 27-08.1-04) — a built-in deterrent to strategic removal.. Source: N.D.C.C. ch. 27-08.1 (as of 2026).
Deposit rules in every state, cited to statute: security deposit limits by state.
How North Dakota compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for North Dakota: N.D. Cent. Code §47-16-07.1 ↗.
- Deposit return deadline
Deposit return deadline: 30 days, exactly the national median.
This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 26 other states.
Deposit return deadline in neighboring states — Minnesota (21 days), Montana (30 days), South Dakota (14 days).
The rest of what North Dakota requires
The figures below are North Dakota's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full North Dakota page for that document.
- Security deposit cap · as of 2026
- 1 month's rent (2 if pets) N.D. Cent. Code §47-16-07.1 ↗
- Deposit return deadline · as of 2026
- 30 days after move-out N.D. Cent. Code §47-16-07.1 ↗
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026
- 30 days N.D. Cent. Code §47-16-07.1 ↗
- Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026
- 3 days to pay or quit N.D. Cent. Code § 47-32-01; § 47-16-15 ↗
- Small claims limit · as of 2026
- $15,000 N.D.C.C. ch. 27-08.1 ↗
- Where you file · as of 2026
- Small Claims Court (District Court) · filing fee $20 — N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03(1)(e): 'For filing a small claims action in district court, twenty dollars' (official Century Code PDF) N.D.C.C. ch. 27-08.1 ↗
- Rental application fee · as of July 2026
- No statutory limit North Dakota Century Code ↗
- Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026
- Not required North Dakota DOT (Form SFN 2888) ↗
- Power of attorney signing · as of 2026
- Notarization recommended N.D. Cent. Code §30.1-30-01 et seq. ↗
- LLC operating agreement · as of 2026
- Not required by statute, but it controls over the default rules N.D. Cent. Code § 10-32.1-02(36) (definition); § 10-32.1-01 (citation) ↗
- Recording a deed · as of 2026
- County Recorder (office renamed from Register of Deeds in 2001) · no witnesses N.D.C.C. § 47-10-01 ↗
Security deposit demand letter in other states
More North Dakota legal forms
Different state? See security deposit demand letters by state →