N.D.C.C. §§ 47-16-01 through 47-16-30.1, 47-16-31 through 47-16-35, 47-16-42 § 47-16-14
When a lease of real property terminates.
Operative Text
47-16-14. When a lease of real property terminates.
The leasing of real property terminates:
1. At the end of the term agreed upon;
2. By the mutual consent of the parties;
3. By the lessee's acquiring title to the property leased superior to that of the lessor; or
4. By the destruction of the property leased.Under North Dakota law, specifically N.D.C.C. § 47-16-14, a lease of real property comes to an end in one of four defined ways: the agreed rental term expires naturally, both parties mutually agree to end the arrangement early, the tenant acquires ownership rights to the property that supersede the landlord's title, or the leased property is destroyed. Outside of these circumstances, a lease does not simply dissolve on its own. This provision establishes the legal framework for when a landlord-tenant relationship formally concludes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under North Dakota leases should be aware that N.D.C.C. § 47-16-14 limits the recognized grounds for lease termination to four specific scenarios. Compliant operators generally document the agreed lease end date clearly in the rental agreement, obtain written confirmation when a lease is ended by mutual consent, and maintain records of any property destruction events that may trigger termination. Understanding these defined endpoints helps operators avoid disputes about whether a tenancy has legally concluded.
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. § 47-16-14, tenants have an interest in knowing that a lease does not end arbitrarily — it terminates only when the term expires, both parties agree, the tenant acquires superior title, or the property is destroyed. If a landlord claims a tenancy has ended outside of these recognized grounds, a tenant may be able to raise that as a defense in a legal proceeding. Tenants who have questions about whether their lease has been properly terminated may benefit from consulting a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office 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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