N.D.C.C. §§ 14-02.5-01 through 14-02.5-46 § 14-02.5-42
Effect of relief granted.
Operative Text
14-02.5-42. Effect of relief granted.
Relief granted under sections 14-02.5-39 through 14-02.5-44 does not affect a contract,
sale, encumbrance, or lease that is consummated before the granting of the relief and involves
a bona fide purchaser, encumbrancer, or tenant who did not have actual notice of the filing of a
complaint or civil action under this chapter.Section 14-02.5-42 of North Dakota's Human Rights Act establishes a limit on how far court-ordered or agency-ordered relief can reach back in time. Specifically, any remedy granted under the fair housing complaint and enforcement provisions (§§ 14-02.5-39 through 14-02.5-44) cannot undo or invalidate a contract, sale, mortgage, or lease that was completed before the relief was granted, as long as the other party to that transaction was a genuine purchaser, lender, or tenant who had no actual knowledge that a complaint or civil action had been filed. In short, innocent third parties who completed a transaction without knowing about pending fair housing proceedings are protected from having that transaction unwound by a later order.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in North Dakota should be aware that under § 14-02.5-42, a fair housing remedy issued after a complaint is filed will not automatically void transactions—such as leases or sales—that were finalized before the relief was granted, provided the other party had no actual notice of the pending complaint or civil action. Compliant operators generally maintain clear, documented records of any pending fair housing proceedings so that parties entering transactions are properly informed, which helps avoid disputes over whether a buyer, lender, or tenant had 'actual notice' as contemplated by this section. Understanding this boundary helps property managers assess how ongoing fair housing matters may interact with new or recently completed transactions.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 14-02.5-42, tenants who entered into a lease before a fair housing remedy was issued—and who had no actual knowledge that a complaint or civil action was pending under Chapter 14-02.5—are generally shielded from having their lease invalidated by a later order. This provision can be relevant if a tenant is concerned about the stability of their housing arrangement in the wake of a fair housing dispute involving their landlord. Tenants who want to understand how a pending or resolved fair housing complaint might affect their lease can explore their situation with a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with North Dakota's Human Rights Act.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation