North Dakota Security Deposit Demand Letter
Direct answer
In North Dakota, the landlord must return the deposit within 30 calendar days. The deadline is measured from this trigger: After termination of the lease and delivery of possession by the lessee. The verified state formula is lessor liable for treble damages for any security deposit money withheld without reasonable justification under N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1.
Key facts
| Deadline | 30 calendar days |
|---|---|
| Deadline trigger | after termination of the lease and delivery of possession by the lessee |
| Penalty formula | lessor liable for treble damages for any security deposit money withheld without reasonable justification |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes |
| Interest on deposit | Conditional: Deposit must be held in a federally insured interest-bearing savings or checking account for the tenant's benefit; interest accrues to the tenant and must be paid with the deposit on lease termination, except the lessor is not required to pay interest if occupancy was less than nine months. |
| Maximum deposit | Generally not more than one month's rent. Exceptions: up to two months' rent as security from an individual convicted of a felony (as an incentive to rent) or from an individual with a prior judgment for violating a previous rental agreement. Separate pet security deposit may not exceed the greater of $2,500 or two months' rent (service/companion animals under fair housing excluded). |
| Forwarding address required | No |
| Small claims limit | $15,000 (District Court small claims) in District Court (small claims) |
| Statute citation | N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1 |
Statute says
Application of any portion of a security deposit not paid to the lessee upon termination of the lease must be itemized by the lessor. Such itemization together with the amount due must be delivered or mailed to the lessee at the last address furnished lessor, along with a written notice within thirty days after termination of the lease and delivery of possession by the lessee. The notice must contain a statement of any amount still due the lessor or the refund due the lessee. A lessor is not required to pay interest on security deposits if the period of occupancy was less than nine months in duration. A lessor is liable for treble damages for any security deposit money withheld without reasonable justification.
What this means
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together before sending a letter. Match the dates in your documents to the trigger listed above, then cite N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1 and request the deposit amount supported by your records.
Worked example
Use your actual deposit amount when you write the letter. For context, median rent in North Dakota is $954 according to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates data as of .
- Cass County: $958
- Burleigh County: $998
- Grand Forks County: $992
- Ward County: $1,048
Example demand basis: a deposit equal to the state median rent starts at $954 before applying the state formula: lessor liable for treble damages for any security deposit money withheld without reasonable justification.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cass | Cass County District Court, Fargo | $15,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the district court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Burleigh | Burleigh County District Court, Bismarck | $15,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the district court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Grand Forks | Grand Forks County District Court, Grand Forks | $15,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the district court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Ward | Ward County District Court, Minot | $15,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the district court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
Free North Dakota template, built from verified state data
I am requesting the return of my security deposit. The verified North Dakota data for this page lists a 30 calendar days return window and cites N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1.
Before you send
- Collect your lease, deposit receipt, and move-in records.
- Save photos, videos, and messages about move-out condition.
- Write down the move-out date you can prove.
- Confirm the forwarding address you gave the landlord.
- Send by certified mail when appropriate, and keep a copy of the final letter and delivery proof.
When this letter will NOT work
- The dispute is not about return of a security deposit.
- You need urgent court relief instead of a demand letter.
- You cannot identify the landlord or property manager to contact.
- Your documents point to a different state or a different kind of claim.
Typical mistakes
- Sending a letter before organizing the documents that prove the timeline.
- Demanding an amount that does not match the payment records.
- Leaving out the forwarding address or preferred response method.
- Mixing repair complaints into a deposit letter without separating the issues.
FAQ
Does Fargo have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable North Dakota law and local rules.
Does Bismarck have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable North Dakota law and local rules.
Does Grand Forks have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable North Dakota law and local rules.
Does Minot have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable North Dakota law and local rules.
Can I use this if I do not know the exact deposit amount?
Use the amount shown in your lease, receipt, or move-in records. If records conflict, keep copies and avoid guessing in the letter.
Should I send evidence with the first letter?
Attach copies when they prove the basic facts, such as payment, move-out condition, forwarding address, or prior messages.
Can this page replace legal advice?
No. This page is self-help information for organizing a demand letter and checking the cited data before you act.
City data on this page currently includes Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, West Fargo, Williston, Dickinson, Mandan.
Tenant resources
- Legal Services of North Dakota - Housing Helplegal aid, 800-634-5263
- North Dakota Attorney General - Tenant Rightsag consumer in Bismarck, 800-472-2600
- North Dakota Court System - Legal Self Help Centercourt self help
- High Plains Fair Housing Centerhotline in Grand Forks, 701-203-1077