North Dakota Landlord Responsibility Statement

Effective Date: November 1, 2025
Jurisdiction: State of North Dakota
Applies To: All landlords, property managers, agents and listing entities using Tentunit to list residential rental properties (including student housing, young-professional housing and family housing) in North Dakota.

1. Purpose

This Statement outlines the operational, legal and ethical obligations that landlords must meet when listing properties via Tentunit in North Dakota. Use of the Tentunit platform constitutes the landlord’s acceptance of this Statement, Tentunit’s Terms of Service, Payment Terms, Fair Housing & Equal Access Policy, and all applicable federal, state and local laws. This document is not legal advice; landlords should consult qualified counsel for full compliance.

2. Listing Accuracy, Transparency & Advertising Standards

Landlords must ensure that all listings on Tentunit are truthful, current, and fully reflect the actual unit being offered and terms of the lease.

Required Disclosures

Each listing must clearly disclose:

The monthly rent amount, the lease term (fixed or periodic), and the earliest availability date.
All one-time and recurring fees: application/screening fee, move-in or administrative fees, pet-fees or deposits, parking/amenity fees, utility allocation or sub-metering charges.
Security deposit (or fee-in-lieu if that is permitted) amount, the conditions under which it may be withheld, and the timeframe for return after lease end.
Which utilities the tenant is responsible for, which the landlord is responsible for; if the landlord uses any method of allocation/re-billing, the method must be clearly explained.
Photographs and a description that reflect the actual unit being offered — model units are only acceptable if clearly disclosed as such and genuinely representative.
Screening criteria up front: income threshold, credit/rental history, guarantor/co-signer policy, student status or age eligibility (if relevant).
Availability–The unit must genuinely be available for lease. If it becomes leased, held or otherwise unavailable, the listing must be promptly updated or removed.

Prohibited Practices

Advertising units that are not genuinely available for lease without updating availability status promptly.
Misrepresenting material facts: number of bedrooms/bathrooms, square footage, finishes, condition, views or amenities.
Using “starting at” or “from” pricing without full disclosure of unit eligibility, availability, timing and conditions.
Omitting material fees or hidden charges such that a reasonable renter is misled about total cost.
Engaging in “bait-and-switch” practices: advertising one unit or terms, then offering materially different unit/terms without proper disclosure.

Legal/Regulatory Context

Under North Dakota law (see Chapter 47-16 of the North Dakota Century Code) the landlord-tenant relationship is regulated, including rules on deposit handling (§ 47-16-07.1) and required disclosure of unit condition (§ 47-16-07.2). Listings and advertising must also comply with federal truth-in-advertising and Fair Housing laws.

3. Fair Housing & Equal Access

All Tentunit landlords must comply with the federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. §3601 et seq.) and applicable North Dakota state and local non-discrimination laws.
You must:

Apply neutral, consistently enforced screening criteria to all applicants, regardless of any protected class (race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, age, marital status, public assistance status) as recognized by state law.
Provide reasonable accommodations/modifications for individuals with disabilities when required by law.
Avoid discriminatory or exclusionary language or practices in advertising, communications, screening or lease-terms.
Retain documentation of screening criteria applied, decisions made, accommodation or modification requests and how they were addressed.

4. Communication Standards & Platform Responsiveness

Given Tentunit’s focus on student and young-professional housing, landlords must commit to timely, professional, documented communication:

Acknowledge listing inquiries, application submissions, maintenance/repair requests via Tentunit (or another documented channel) within 24 hours, and provide a substantive follow-up within 48 hours.
Keep applicants informed of their status (approved, denied, wait-list) and keep tenants informed of scheduled entries, inspections, maintenance, or changes to terms/policies.
Ensure listing information remains current any change in rent, fees, availability, utilities or policies must be promptly updated.
Maintain professionalism in communication; repeated failures to respond or discriminatory/harassing conduct may result in listing suspension or account termination by Tentunit.

5. Lease Execution, Legal Compliance & Contract Terms

All leases executed via Tentunit (or for units listed via Tentunit) in North Dakota must comply with state law and reflect high-standard, best-practice terms.

Required Lease Elements & Obligations

It is strongly recommended to execute a written lease (or properly documented digital equivalent); while North Dakota law allows certain oral agreements, clarity is essential.
Lease must include the full legal names and mailing addresses for the landlord/agent responsible for notices and service of process.
Clearly specify: rent amount & due date; lease term (fixed or periodic); renewal/termination mechanics; security deposit amount and conditions; all recurring or one-time fees; utility responsibilities; screening criteria; and for student/young-professional housing if applicable: roommate/shared-housing policies, sub-letting rules, early termination options.
Include required disclosures: e.g., federal Lead-Based Paint hazard information for units built before 1978; any local/state required disclosures.
Lease must not contain terms that waive statutory tenant rights or permit unlawful “self-help” eviction practices (lock-outs, utility shut-off, removal of possessions) — North Dakota law expressly prohibits such actions.
Termination/notice provisions must align with state law: e.g., for month-to-month tenancy, a 30-day written notice may be required.

6. Habitability, Maintenance & Repair Obligations

Landlords must deliver and maintain leased premises in a safe, habitable, clean and code-compliant condition, in accordance with North Dakota law and best practice.
Key obligations include:

Maintain structural components: roof, walls, floors, windows/doors, stairways/porches/handrails in safe condition.
Provide and maintain functioning utilities/systems if specified in lease or required by code: plumbing, electrical, sanitation, locks/egress, heating/air-conditioning (as applicable).
Respond within a reasonable timeframe to conditions materially affecting health, safety or habitability. North Dakota law allows tenant remedies if the landlord fails to repair after notice.
Maintain documentation of repair requests: date/time, vendor/work-order, completion date/time, tenant notice, before/after photographs.
Landlord must not retaliate against tenant for exercising rights (repair requests, deposit claims, housing code complaints).

7. Entry, Inspections & Tenant Privacy

Landlords must respect the tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment and ensure access/entry is lawful, documented and within reasonable bounds.

While North Dakota statute does not specify a precise notice period for non-emergency entry, industry best practice (and for compliance) is to provide advance notice (commonly 24 hours) and only enter during reasonable hours unless emergency.
Entry is permitted for legitimate purposes: repairs, inspections, showing the unit to prospective tenants or purchasers, agreed improvements or as defined in lease.
Landlord should document: notice of entry given (date/time), actual entry (date/time), purpose of entry, persons present, condition observed and photographic evidence where applicable.
At move-out, offering tenant a walkthrough inspection and using a condition checklist with timestamped photos is strongly recommended to support deposit reconciliation and reduce disputes.

8. Security Deposit Handling & Administration

North Dakota law under N.D.C.C. § 47-16-07.1 (and related sections) governs security deposits.

Key Rules

Maximum deposit amount: In most cases, the landlord may charge a security deposit up to one-month’s rent. If the tenant has a felony conviction or a prior judgment for lease violation, the landlord may charge up to two months’ rent.
Pet deposit exception: For tenants with pets (other than service animals), an additional pet deposit may be required, up to greater of $2,500 or two months’ rent.
Holding requirement: The deposit must be held in a federally-insured interest-bearing savings or checking account (for the benefit of the tenant).
Interest requirement: The landlord must pay accrued interest to the tenant at lease end unless the tenancy was less than nine months.
Return timeframe & itemized deductions: The landlord must either return the full deposit (with interest if applicable) or provide a written itemised statement of deductions and return the balance within 30 days after termination of tenancy and delivery of possession.
Permissible deductions: Unpaid rent, damages caused by tenant (beyond normal wear & tear), cleaning/repair costs to restore property to condition at beginning of tenancy, cost of removing tenant’s property after summary ejectment.
Transfer on sale/ownership change: If the property is sold or ownership changes, the security deposit (plus any interest) must be transferred to successor landlord and tenant notified.
Penalties for non-compliance: If landlord fails to comply with deposit return requirements, tenant may recover up to three times the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney’s fees.

Tentunit Requirements for Landlords

Use a move-in condition checklist, signed by landlord/agent and tenant, with date-stamped photographs at the start of tenancy.
Listing and lease must clearly disclose: security deposit amount; conditions for deductions; timeframe for return; whether interest applies; forwarding address requirement.
Maintain ledger/documentation: deposit collected date/amount; account institution name/address; forwarding address documentation; itemised deduction list (if any); refund date and method of delivery.
Ensure deposit is refunded (or itemised list + balance returned) within 30 days after lease termination/tenant move-out.
Do not label any portion of the deposit as “non-refundable” unless lawful and clearly disclosed; avoid combining deposit with prepaid rent unless clearly articulated.
If property ownership/management changes during tenancy: ensure deposit transfer or tenant notification is handled properly per statute.

9. Student-Housing & Young-Professional Specific Standards

Given Tentunit’s focus on student and young-professional renters, landlords must adopt elevated standards:

In listing clearly disclose: proximity to campus/university, parking/public transit policy/costs, sub-letting policy or early-lease release options, roommate/shared-housing rules if applicable, renewal/non-renewal policy.
Provide digital onboarding materials tailored for younger renters: move-in guide, roommate/shared-housing guidelines, utility-setup instructions, local transport/campus orientation, emergency contact information.
Avoid exploitative practices aimed at students/young professionals (excessive non-refundable fees, ambiguous early termination clauses, forced guarantor/co-signer without alternative).
Maintain mobile/app-friendly communication channels, quick responses, clear roommate/house-rule expectations.
House-rules (shared cleaning schedule, guest/party policy, noise/roommate obligations) must align with statutory tenant rights, clearly disclosed in listing & lease, and enforced consistently and fairly.

10. Documentation, Audit, Compliance & Platform Enforcement

Landlords must maintain institutional-level documentation and operate with transparency; Tentunit retains strong enforcement rights.

Record-Keeping Requirements

Landlords must maintain, for each unit/tenancy:

Listing metadata: upload date, photo version history, fee schedule and changes, availability updates.
Screening/application logs: inquiry date/time, screening criteria applied, applications received, approvals/denials, communications.
Executed lease file: signed lease (digital or paper), any amendments/renewals, disclosures, guarantor/co-signer documentation as applicable.
Maintenance/repair logs: tenant request date/time, vendor/work-order number, completion date/time, tenant notifications, before/after photos.
Entry/inspection logs: notice sent date/time, actual entry date/time, purpose of entry, persons present, condition observed, photographic evidence where applicable.
Security deposit records: deposit amount & date collected; account/institution name; forwarding address documentation; itemised deduction statements; refund date and proof of mailing/transfer.
Communication logs: landlord-tenant/Tentunit portal messages: listing inquiries, application status updates, maintenance scheduling, entry/inspection notices, lease renewal/termination communications.

Tentunit Enforcement Rights

Tentunit may:

Audit landlord compliance (listings, lease documentation, deposit handling, maintenance/entry records) at any time without prior notice.
Suspend or remove listings for material or repeated non-compliance with this Statement, Tentunit policies or North Dakota/federal law.
Freeze or withhold landlord payouts tied to units flagged for unresolved compliance issues (e.g., deposit disputes, habitability complaints).
Terminate landlord’s platform account permanently for serious or repeated violations.
Report non-compliance or unlawful conduct to relevant regulatory or enforcement agencies (e.g., North Dakota Attorney General’s Office) when applicable.
Seek recovery of damages, attorney’s fees and enforcement costs where permitted by law.

11. Indemnification

Landlord shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Tentunit, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents and contractors from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to:

Landlord’s breach of this Statement or any Tentunit policy;
Landlord’s violation of any federal, state or local housing/tenant-landlord law/regulation;
Landlord’s mis-representation of listing, unit condition, availability, terms or fees;
Tenant claims or disputes arising from landlord’s acts or omissions;
Platform investigations or regulatory enforcement triggered by landlord non-compliance.

12. Governing Law & Reference Statutes

North Dakota Statutory & Reference Materials

N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1 – Security deposits: amount limits, holding requirements, interest, return timeframe, penalties. Nolo+2ndpanda.org+2
N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.2 – Condition statement: landlord must provide tenant a signed statement describing the condition of premises at move-in. highplainsfhc.org
Overview of North Dakota landlord-tenant law (Nolo, Innago, etc.) – deposit law, habitability, rent raising, entry notice. Innago

Federal Law Foundations

Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.)
Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (for units built before 1978)
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) for eligible tenants