N.D.C.C. §§ 14-02.5-01 through 14-02.5-46 § 14-02.5-25
Reasonable cause determination.
Operative Text
14-02.5-25. Reasonable cause determination.
1. The department shall determine from the facts whether reasonable cause exists to
believe that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur. The
department shall make this determination not later than the one-hundredth day after
the date a complaint is filed unless making the determination is impracticable, or the
department approves a conciliation agreement relating to the complaint.
2. If making the determination within the period is impracticable, the department shall
give in writing to the complainant and the respondent the reasons for the delay. If the
department determines that reasonable cause exists to believe that a discriminatory
housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, the department shall, except as
provided by section 14-02.5-27, immediately issue a charge on behalf of the aggrieved
person.Under N.D.C.C. § 14-02.5-25, North Dakota's department responsible for fair housing complaints is required to review the facts of a filed complaint and decide whether reasonable cause exists to believe a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur. This determination must generally be made within 100 days of the complaint being filed, unless doing so is impracticable or a conciliation agreement is reached. If the department finds reasonable cause, it must promptly issue a formal charge on behalf of the person who was harmed, and if the 100-day deadline cannot be met, both the complainant and the respondent must be notified in writing of the reasons for the delay.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers named as respondents in a fair housing complaint should be aware that under § 14-02.5-25, the department has up to 100 days to determine whether reasonable cause exists to believe a discriminatory housing practice occurred. Operators who maintain thorough, consistent records of their rental policies and decisions are generally better positioned to respond to any departmental inquiry during this review period. If the department cannot complete its determination within that window, it is required to notify both parties in writing, giving respondents an opportunity to understand the status of the process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 14-02.5-25, a person who files a fair housing complaint in North Dakota has the right to expect the department to reach a reasonable cause determination within 100 days, or to receive a written explanation if that timeline cannot be met. If the department concludes that reasonable cause exists, it is required to issue a formal charge on the complainant's behalf, advancing the matter toward a resolution. Tenants who believe they have experienced discriminatory housing practices may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization or fair housing agency to better understand how the complaint and determination process works under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation