Typical residential security deposit amount a landlord holds and later accounts for on a return statement in North Dakota (2026)
A typical North Dakota range, the local factors behind it, and the tools to price your own project.
Reviewed for 2026, updated September 8, 2026.
What drives the cost in North Dakota
North Dakota deposits fall below the national typical range, with Fargo and Bismarck the higher markets and oil-region towns swinging with energy activity. State law caps deposits at about one month's rent (with higher limits for pets and certain tenant histories), requires interest when the deposit is held for more than several months, sets a 30-day return window with an itemized statement, and allows treble damages for bad faith, so confirm the current terms. Extreme cold and wind make furnace, pipe, and door seal issues routine winter wear.
Tips for North Dakota buyers
- Track how long the deposit has been held and add interest once it crosses the statutory threshold.
- Apply the pet deposit cap separately from the general cap.
- Winter vacancies need heat left on; write that responsibility into the lease and reference it on any related deduction.
Ranges are hedged planning estimates derived from a national typical range and a local index, not quotes. A typical single deposit on a market-rate residential rental is commonly around one month's rent, which puts most deposits somewhere in this range; actual amounts vary widely with local rents, unit size, pets, and state caps, and this is a working reference rather than a survey figure.
Price your project
- Deposit Deduction Depreciation Calculator: Estimates how much of a carpet, paint, blind, or appliance replacement a landlord can fairly deduct from a security deposit once the item's age and normal wear are taken into account.
- Security Deposit Refund Statement Calculator: Adds up the deposit held, any interest owed, and each itemized deduction to show the exact refund due to the tenant or the balance the tenant still owes.
- Late Deposit Return Penalty Exposure Calculator: Shows landlords how many days remain before a state return deadline and what missing it could cost when a statute allows forfeited deductions or multiplied damages.