North Dakota Housing Resources & Tenant Rights

North Dakota’s landlord-tenant rules come from North Dakota Century Code Title 47-16. A protection that surprises many renters: North Dakota’s Human Rights Act protects status with respect to public assistance, which is recognized as a source-of-income protection — so a landlord generally can’t refuse you just for using a Section 8 voucher. There is no rent control. This page covers the statewide framework, your deposit rights, and how eviction works.

Public Housing & Vouchers in North Dakota

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing in North Dakota are run by local and regional housing authorities (such as those serving Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks), and the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) supports affordable-housing development statewide. To find the authority that serves you, use HUD’s PHA directory or read how to find your PHA. Each authority keeps its own waitlist, so apply to several. For income-restricted apartments, search HUD’s LIHTC database or read how to find LIHTC housing. Thanks to the public-assistance protection (below), a landlord generally cannot refuse you for using a voucher.

Source of Income Protection

North Dakota’s Human Rights Act and Housing Discrimination Act list status with respect to public assistance among the protected classes in housing — a protection that is recognized as covering source of income, including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and other lawful assistance. In practice, a landlord generally cannot refuse to rent to you because you would pay with a voucher, SSI, veterans’ benefits, or similar assistance. Complaints go to the North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights at 1-800-582-8032. See our source-of-income protections guide.

Rent Control & Rent-Increase Notice

North Dakota has no rent control, so there is no legal cap on how much rent can rise. For a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord generally must give at least 30 days’ written notice before raising the rent or ending the tenancy. A rent increase made to retaliate against you for asserting your rights is illegal.

Emergency Rental Assistance in North Dakota

• Dial 211 for the current list of rental, deposit, and eviction-prevention funds near you
• Community Action agencies across the state administer rental and utility assistance — 211 can connect you
• LIHEAP helps with heating bills, which matter a lot in North Dakota — see utility assistance programs
• Local nonprofits and tribal programs run emergency funds; 211 keeps the current list

See our emergency rental assistance guide for how these programs work.

North Dakota Tenant Law: Key Protections at a Glance

Security deposits

A North Dakota landlord generally may not collect more than one month’s rent as a security deposit (more is allowed if you have a pet or in certain other cases). After you move out and give a forwarding address, the landlord must return the deposit within 30 days with an itemized statement of any deductions for unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear. Document the unit’s condition at move-in and move-out, and read how to recover your security deposit.

Eviction process & how long it takes

Self-help eviction is illegal — a landlord cannot change the locks or shut off utilities and must go through the court. The sequence:

• Notice: for nonpayment, a 3-day notice to quit, stating the amount owed and that you can pay or move
• Eviction action filed in district court; you are served and given a hearing date, often quickly
• Hearing — appear and raise any defenses (the rent was paid, improper notice, conditions, retaliation); if you do not appear, the landlord usually wins by default
• Judgment and writ: if the landlord wins, the court issues a writ of eviction and a sheriff carries out the removal

From notice to removal, a North Dakota eviction commonly takes about two to four weeks. Get help early from Legal Services of North Dakota (1-800-634-5263), and read how to avoid eviction.

Other Housing Programs in North Dakota

• HUD-VASH (veterans) — a voucher paired with VA case management; see how to apply for HUD-VASH
• Permanent Supportive Housing & rapid re-housing — access through Coordinated Entry by calling 211
• Tribal housing — reservation housing authorities serve many North Dakota communities
• Eviction prevention — our eviction prevention hub explains what to do before your court date

Where to Get Help in North Dakota

Tenant help & legal aid: Legal Services of North Dakota (1-800-634-5263) handles eviction and housing cases; the High Plains Fair Housing Center assists with discrimination.

Source-of-income / discrimination: the North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights (1-800-582-8032) enforces the public-assistance protection.

Find your local PHA: HUD’s PHA directory or our how to find your PHA guide.

211 helpline: dial 2-1-1 or visit nd211.org for rental help, shelters, and utility assistance.

HUD fair housing: file at hud.gov/reporthousingdiscrimination or call 1-800-669-9777.

Next Steps

Not sure where to start? Our Where to Start tool routes you to the right mix of programs in about two minutes.

If a landlord refused your voucher, North Dakota’s public-assistance protection may cover you — contact the Department of Labor and Human Rights (1-800-582-8032). If you have a 3-day notice, call Legal Services of North Dakota and read eviction prevention.