N.D.C.C. §§ 14-02.5-01 through 14-02.5-46 § 14-02.5-45
Intimidation or interference - Penalty.
Operative Text
14-02.5-45. Intimidation or interference - Penalty.
1. A person commits an offense if the person, without regard to whether the person is
acting under color of law, by force or threat of force, intentionally intimidates or
interferes with an individual:
a. Because of the individual's race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, familial status,
national origin, or status with respect to marriage or public assistance and
because the individual is or has been selling, purchasing, renting, financing,
occupying, or contracting or negotiating for the sale, purchase, rental, financing,
or occupation of any dwelling or applying for or participating in a service,
organization, or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings; or
b. Because the individual is or has been or to intimidate the individual from
participating, without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, disability,
age, familial status, national origin, or status with respect to marriage or public
assistance, in an activity, service, organization, or facility described by
subdivision a; affording another individual opportunity or protection to so
participate; or lawfully aiding or encouraging other individuals to participate,
without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, familial
status, national origin, or status with respect to marriage or public assistance, in
an activity, service, organization, or facility described in subdivision a.
2. It is a discriminatory practice to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any
individual in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of the individual having
exercised or enjoyed, or on account of the individual having aided or encouraged any
other individual in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by this
chapter.
3. An offense under subsection 1 of this section is a class A misdemeanor.North Dakota Century Code § 14-02.5-45 prohibits using force or the threat of force to intimidate or interfere with someone's housing-related activities—such as renting, buying, or financing a dwelling—when that intimidation is motivated by the person's race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, familial status, national origin, or marital or public-assistance status. The provision also bars coercing or threatening anyone who has exercised, enjoyed, or helped others exercise fair-housing rights protected under this chapter. Violating subsection 1 by physically or verbally threatening someone in this context is classified as a class A misdemeanor under North Dakota law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under North Dakota's fair-housing framework should be aware that § 14-02.5-45 makes it a criminal offense—a class A misdemeanor—to use force or threats to interfere with any person's housing activities on the basis of protected characteristics. Compliant operators ensure that neither they nor anyone acting on their behalf engages in coercive conduct toward applicants, tenants, or anyone who has assisted others in exercising fair-housing rights. Maintaining clear, documented non-discrimination policies and training staff on prohibited conduct are practices generally associated with compliance under this chapter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under N.D.C.C. § 14-02.5-45, tenants and housing applicants have the right to be free from force, threats, or intimidation directed at them because of protected characteristics such as race, disability, familial status, or public-assistance status in connection with renting or occupying a dwelling. This protection also extends to individuals who have helped others exercise their fair-housing rights. Those who believe they have experienced such intimidation or interference may consider filing a complaint with the North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights, contacting a local tenant-rights organization, or consulting with an attorney familiar with fair-housing law to understand the range of available options.
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.
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