Free North Dakota Lease Agreement Template

A North Dakota lease agreement is a written contract between a landlord and a tenant that sets the terms for renting a residential property in North Dakota. It explains how much rent is due, when payments are made, how the security deposit works, and who is responsible for repairs and everyday upkeep.

Landlords use a North Dakota lease agreement when renting a house, apartment, condo, or room. Putting key terms in writing gives both sides a clear record of the arrangement and helps them understand their rights and obligations under North Dakota law.

North Dakota landlord-tenant laws shape what your lease should include and how it works in practice. Important rules include:

• Rent control: Rent control is banned in North Dakota; cities and counties cannot cap rent amounts.
• Late fee limits: State law does not set a specific dollar cap on late fees, but fees must be reasonable and clearly listed in the lease.
• Grace period: No mandatory grace period. Your lease should state when rent is due and when it is considered late.
• Landlord license: North Dakota does not require a general state rental license for residential landlords.
• Rent due rules: If the lease does not specify a due date, rent on lodgings is generally payable monthly at the end of each month (ND Cent. Code § 47-16-20).

Document Genius’s step-by-step questionnaire helps you cover these topics so your North Dakota lease agreement stays aligned with state law.

North Dakota requires landlords to share certain information with tenants before or at the time of signing a lease:

• Lead-based paint disclosure: For homes built before 1978, landlords must disclose known lead-based paint hazards and give tenants federal lead safety information (42 U.S. Code § 4852d).
• Property condition statement: If the landlord collects a security deposit, they must provide a written statement describing the condition of the premises at move-in, including fixtures and utilities. Both landlord and tenant sign this statement (ND Cent. Code § 47-16-07.2).

Including these disclosures with your North Dakota lease agreement helps document the property’s condition and reduce future disputes.

North Dakota places clear limits on how security deposits are collected, stored, and returned:

• Maximum amount: In most cases, a landlord may charge up to one month’s rent as a security deposit. Additional amounts may be allowed for certain tenants or pets under specific conditions (ND Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1).
• Pet deposits: Landlords may charge an additional pet deposit, typically up to an extra month’s rent, but they generally may not charge extra for service animals.
• Bank account: The landlord must place the deposit in a federally insured, interest-bearing account for the tenant’s benefit (ND Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1).
• Interest payments: If the tenant occupies the property for more than nine months, the landlord must pay interest on the security deposit when it is returned (ND Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1).
• Return deadline: The landlord must return the security deposit within 30 days after the lease ends or the tenant moves out, whichever is later. If any amount is kept, the landlord must provide a written list of deductions (ND Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1(3)(c)).
• Allowed deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, cleaning costs, and other losses allowed by law and listed in the lease.

Document Genius helps you clearly describe deposit amounts, where the funds are held, and when they will be returned in your North Dakota lease agreement.

Your North Dakota lease agreement should explain exactly how and when rent is paid. State law fills in some gaps if your lease is silent:

• Due date: If the lease specifies a due date, that date controls. If not, rent for lodgings is generally due monthly at the end of each month (ND Cent. Code § 47-16-20).
• Rent control: North Dakota prohibits rent control, so landlords may set rent at market rates and increase it according to the lease and state law (ND Cent. Code § 47-16-02.1).
• Late fees: There is no specific statewide dollar cap on late fees, but they must be reasonable, agreed to in the lease, and applied consistently.
• Grace period: North Dakota law does not require a grace period, so your lease should say when rent is considered late and when late fees begin.
• Rent withholding for repairs: If a landlord fails to make certain necessary repairs after notice, tenants may, in some situations, make the repairs themselves and deduct the reasonable cost from rent (ND Cent. Code § 47-16-13).

Setting clear due dates, payment methods, and late fee rules in your North Dakota lease agreement helps avoid confusion later.

North Dakota law regulates when and how landlords may enter a rented home:

• Reasonable notice: Landlords must give tenants reasonable verbal or written notice before entering the rental unit, except in emergencies or when they reasonably believe the tenant has abandoned the property (ND Cent. Code § 47-16-07.3).
• Reasonable time: Entry must take place at a reasonable time, such as normal daytime hours, unless the tenant agrees otherwise.
• Valid reasons for entry: Typical reasons include making repairs, inspecting the unit, or showing it to prospective tenants or buyers (ND Cent. Code § 47-16-07.3).
• Locks and security: North Dakota law does not provide detailed statewide rules on changing locks, so it is helpful to describe how lock changes will be handled in your lease.

Document Genius lets you add a clear entry clause to your North Dakota lease agreement so tenants understand when and why you may access the property.

Both landlords and tenants share responsibility for keeping the property safe and livable.

Landlord Responsibilities

• Habitability: Landlords must keep the rental in a habitable condition by meeting basic health and safety standards and complying with housing codes.
• Repairs: Landlords should respond to repair requests within a reasonable time, especially when an issue affects essential services like heat, water, or electricity.

Tenant Responsibilities

• Everyday care: Tenants must use the premises in a reasonable way, keep their space clean, and avoid causing damage beyond normal wear and tear.
• Utilities and services: If the tenant is responsible for essential utilities and fails to maintain them, the landlord may be able to start eviction proceedings in certain situations (ND Cent. Code § 47-32-01(8)).

Adding a simple maintenance section to your North Dakota lease agreement helps clarify who handles what and when.

North Dakota law sets basic rules for ending tenancies and handling belongings left behind.

• Month-to-month leases: Either the landlord or the tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy by giving at least 30 days’ written notice, unless the lease sets a different, lawful notice period.
• Fixed-term leases: Fixed-term leases usually end on the agreed date. Your North Dakota lease agreement should explain whether it ends automatically or converts to a month-to-month tenancy if no new lease is signed.
• Unclaimed property: If a tenant leaves personal property behind, the landlord may generally sell or dispose of items valued at less than $2,500 after at least 28 days, following the notice rules in state law (ND Cent. Code § 47-16-30.1).

Document Genius helps you set out notice periods, renewal options, and what happens to any property left behind so the end of the lease is as clear as the start.