N.D.C.C. §§ 47-16-01 through 47-16-30.1, 47-16-31 through 47-16-35, 47-16-42 § 47-16-16
When lessor may terminate lease.
Operative Text
47-16-16. When lessor may terminate lease.
The lessor of real property may terminate the lease and reclaim such property before the
end of the term agreed upon when the lessee:
1. Uses or permits a use of the property leased in a manner contrary to the agreement of
the parties; or
2. Does not make such repairs as the lessee is bound to make within a reasonable time
after a request is made.Under N.D.C.C. § 47-16-16, a landlord has the legal basis to end a lease and reclaim the rental property before the agreed-upon term expires under two specific circumstances: when the tenant uses the property in a way that violates the lease agreement, or when the tenant fails to make repairs they are contractually obligated to make within a reasonable time after being asked. This provision establishes early-termination rights for landlords tied directly to tenant conduct, not to the landlord's discretion alone. Both triggering conditions are grounded in the terms of the existing lease agreement between the parties.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under N.D.C.C. § 47-16-16 generally document lease terms clearly, including any provisions that specify permitted uses of the property and any repair obligations assigned to the tenant. When a potential violation arises, compliant operators typically make a written request for corrective action and allow a reasonable period for the tenant to respond before pursuing termination. Maintaining clear records of the lease agreement, any notices sent, and the tenant's response helps establish the factual basis for any early-termination action.
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. § 47-16-16, a landlord's right to terminate a lease early is limited to situations where the tenant has violated the agreed-upon use of the property or failed to complete repairs they were specifically obligated to make after a reasonable-time request. Tenants who receive a termination notice may want to review their lease carefully to assess whether the landlord's stated grounds actually fall within these two categories. Tenant-rights organizations in North Dakota can help renters understand whether a termination notice appears to comply with the requirements of this provision and what general options may be available.
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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