How Long Does a Landlord Have to Return a Deposit in North Dakota?
In North Dakota, a landlord has 30 calendar days to return a security deposit. The deadline is measured from this trigger: After termination of the lease and delivery of possession by the lessee. The verified penalty 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 |
| 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. Match the date you can prove to the trigger above, then compare the landlord's response to the rule in N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1.
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.
What happens if a landlord misses the North Dakota deposit deadline?
The verified penalty 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. Keep the move-out date, forwarding address records, and any itemized statement before you act.
Does a demand letter change the legal deadline?
No. The deadline is still 30 calendar days. The deadline trigger is After termination of the lease and delivery of possession by the lessee. A letter documents the timeline and asks the landlord to resolve the deposit before the next step.
If the deadline passed
Send the letter that starts the clock and keeps the demand tied to the verified North Dakota deadline.
build a North Dakota demand letter
If the landlord stays silent, review landlord ignoring the deadline before choosing the next step.