North Dakota Security Deposit Law
A 2026 guide for North Dakota landlords: how much you can hold, the 30-day deadline to return it, whether interest is required, and the penalties for getting it wrong — plus a free calculator set to North Dakota's rules.
Deposit cap
1 month's rent (may exceed for tenants with pets or poor credit history)
Refund deadline
30 days
Interest required?
No
No statewide interest requirement.
Separate account?
Yes
Penalty for noncompliance
Bad-faith retention can result in statutory damages up to the deposit amount.
Statute: N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1
North Dakota security deposit refund calculator
Pre-set to North Dakota's 30-day deadline. Enter the deposit and any deductions to see the refund and the exact due date.
Itemized deductions
Result
$1,500.00
Amount owed back to the tenant
- Deposit held
- $1,500.00
- Total deductions
- −$0.00
Legal deadline in North Dakota
Return the deposit (or an itemized statement of deductions) within 30 days of move-out.
How to return a security deposit in North Dakota
- 1
Inspect and document the unit
As soon as the tenant moves out, photograph every room and compare it against the move-in condition. In North Dakota, deductions generally must reflect actual damage beyond normal wear and tear.
- 2
Itemize every deduction in writing
List each deduction with a dollar amount. North Dakota — like nearly every state — can bar a landlord from keeping any of the deposit if deductions aren't itemized in a written statement.
- 3
Confirm no interest is required
No statewide interest requirement. That means you generally return the deposit minus documented deductions, with no added interest.
- 4
Return the balance within 30 days
Send the remaining balance and the itemized statement to the tenant's forwarding address within 30 days of move-out. Missing this deadline is the single most common way landlords lose a deposit dispute.
North Dakota security deposit FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in North Dakota?
1 month's rent (may exceed for tenants with pets or poor credit history).
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in North Dakota?
A landlord generally has 30 days after the tenant moves out to return the deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions.
Is interest required on security deposits in North Dakota?
No statewide interest requirement.
Does North Dakota require the deposit to be held in a separate account?
Yes. In North Dakota, landlords are generally required to keep security deposits in a separate account rather than commingling them with personal funds.
What happens if a landlord wrongfully withholds a deposit in North Dakota?
Bad-faith retention can result in statutory damages up to the deposit amount.
Related free tools
Deposit laws in other states
This page summarizes general state-level rules as of 2026 and does not cover city or county ordinances, which can be stricter. Verify against the statute cited above (N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1) or with a local attorney before relying on it.