N.D.C.C. §§ 47-16-01 through 47-16-30.1, 47-16-31 through 47-16-35, 47-16-42 § 47-16-13.2
Tenant obligations - Maintenance of dwelling unit.
Operative Text
47-16-13.2. Tenant obligations - Maintenance of dwelling unit.
A tenant of a residential dwelling unit shall:
1. Comply with all obligations primarily imposed upon tenants by applicable provisions of
building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety.
2. Keep that part of the premises that the tenant occupies and uses as clean and safe as
the condition of the premises permit.
3. Periodically remove all ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste from the tenant's
dwelling unit, and dispose of them in a clean and safe manner.
4. Keep all plumbing fixtures in the dwelling unit or used by the tenant as clean as their
condition permits.
5. Use in a reasonable manner all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating,
air-conditioning, and other facilities and appliances including elevators in the premises.
6. Not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove any part of
the premises or knowingly permit any person to do so.
7. Conduct oneself and require other persons on the premises with the tenant's consent
to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb the tenant's neighbors'
peaceful enjoyment of the premises.North Dakota law under N.D.C.C. § 47-16-13.2 establishes a set of baseline obligations that residential tenants must meet during their tenancy. These obligations include keeping occupied spaces clean and safe, properly disposing of waste, maintaining plumbing fixtures, using building systems reasonably, refraining from deliberate or negligent damage to the property, and not disturbing neighbors' peaceful enjoyment. The provision applies to all residential tenants in the state and operates alongside applicable local building and housing codes that affect health and safety.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.D.C.C. § 47-16-13.2, compliant residential landlords typically document the condition of a unit at move-in and move-out to establish a baseline against which tenant-caused damage or neglect can be measured. Operators generally include lease language that mirrors these statutory tenant obligations, making clear that waste disposal, fixture care, reasonable use of building systems, and neighbor-considerate conduct are expected throughout the tenancy. When a tenant appears to be in violation of these duties, landlords commonly document the issue in writing and follow the notice procedures established elsewhere in North Dakota's landlord-tenant statutes before pursuing further remedies.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.D.C.C. § 47-16-13.2 sets out the maintenance and conduct duties that North Dakota law places on residential tenants, including keeping the unit clean, disposing of waste properly, avoiding damage to the property, and not disturbing neighbors. Tenants should be aware that a landlord may cite violations of these obligations as grounds for lease termination or claims against a security deposit, so understanding what the statute requires can be important context in any dispute. Tenants who believe a landlord is misapplying or overstating these obligations may find it useful to consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for general information about how § 47-16-13.2 is typically interpreted.
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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