Are landlords in North Dakota required to return security deposits within 30 days of a tenant moving out?
Welcome to our first fact brief. The North Dakota News Cooperative is now partnering with Gigafact to bring you fact briefs like this. Fact briefs are informative responses to real claims circulating online, all in 150 words or less. They provide a clear “yes” or “no” answer to the key question at hand and are backed by high-quality sources.
Yes.
In North Dakota, landlords are required by law to return a tenant’s security deposit within 30 days of the lease ending or the tenant moving out.
The landlord must also provide an itemized list of any deductions made from the deposit within that same 30-day period, according to the North Dakota Attorney General’s Tenants Rights resource.
Deductions can only be made for damages beyond normal wear and tear or for unpaid rent and cleaning services. The law is designed to ensure that tenants are treated fairly and receive either their full deposit back or a clear explanation of any charges.
If the landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemized list within 30 days, the tenant has legal grounds to seek the return of the deposit.
Legal timeframes vary by state, from 60 days in Alabama to two weeks in South Dakota and other states.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- North Dakota Attorney General Tenant Rights
- RocketLawyer Security Deposit Laws by State
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