N.D.C.C. §§ 47-10-20, 47-10-28 § 47-10-20
Attornment - When unnecessary.
Operative Text
47-10-20. Attornment - When unnecessary.
Grants of rents, reversions, or remainders are good and effectual without attornments of the
tenants, but no tenant, who before notice of the grant shall have paid rent to the grantor, must
suffer any damage thereby.Under N.D.C.C. § 47-10-20, when a landlord transfers a rent interest, reversion, or remainder to a new owner, that transfer is legally valid and binding without requiring the tenant to formally acknowledge or consent to the new owner (a process historically called 'attornment'). However, the law protects any tenant who paid rent to the original landlord before receiving notice of the transfer — such a tenant cannot be penalized or held liable for that payment. The rule balances the efficiency of property transfers with fairness to tenants who acted in good faith.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under N.D.C.C. § 47-10-20 generally ensure that tenants receive timely, clear written notice whenever a rent interest, reversion, or remainder is transferred to a new party. Compliant operators understand that while the transfer itself is effective without tenant consent, a tenant who pays rent to the prior owner before receiving notice of the transfer is legally protected from any resulting harm. Providing prompt notice of ownership or interest changes helps avoid disputes over rent payments made to the former grantor.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.D.C.C. § 47-10-20 provides that if your landlord transfers their interest in the property to someone else, that transfer is valid without any action on your part. Importantly, if you paid rent to the original landlord before you received notice of the transfer, the law shields you from suffering any damage as a result of that payment. Tenants who believe they have been wrongly penalized for rent paid before receiving proper notice may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or review their options with a qualified attorney familiar with North Dakota landlord-tenant law.
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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