N.D.C.C. §§ 47-16-01 through 47-16-30.1, 47-16-31 through 47-16-35, 47-16-42 § 47-16-13
When lessee may repair or vacate premises.
Operative Text
47-16-13. When lessee may repair or vacate premises.
If within a reasonable time after notice from the lessee of dilapidations which the lessor
ought to repair the lessor neglects to do so, the lessee may:
1. Repair the premises and deduct the expense of such repair from the rent;
2. Recover it in any other lawful manner from the lessor; or
3. Vacate the premises, in which case the lessee shall be discharged from further
payment of rent or performance of other conditions.North Dakota law under N.D.C.C. § 47-16-13 establishes that when a landlord fails to make repairs within a reasonable time after receiving notice from a tenant, the tenant gains specific legal options. These options include making the repairs and deducting the cost from rent, pursuing reimbursement through other lawful means, or vacating the property entirely. If the tenant chooses to vacate under this provision, they are released from any further rent obligations or other lease conditions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.D.C.C. § 47-16-13, landlords who receive written or verbal notice of dilapidations they are responsible for repairing are expected to act within a reasonable timeframe. Operators who respond promptly to repair notices and document their remediation efforts generally avoid triggering the tenant's statutory remedies, which can include rent deductions or lease termination without further payment. Maintaining clear communication records and a consistent maintenance response process is a common practice among compliant property managers in North Dakota.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.D.C.C. § 47-16-13 gives tenants in North Dakota meaningful remedies when a landlord neglects necessary repairs after receiving proper notice. Depending on the circumstances, a tenant may have the right to arrange repairs and offset the cost against rent, seek reimbursement through other legal channels, or vacate the unit and be released from future rent obligations. Tenants who believe this provision applies to their situation may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service to understand which remedy paths are available under North Dakota 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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