In North Dakota, tenants face a landlord-friendly environment when it comes to rent increases, as the state does not have any rent control laws that limit how much landlords can raise rent in 2025. This means landlords have broad discretion to increase rent by any amount they choose, provided they follow the proper legal procedures regarding notice and timing. While there is no cap on the size of rent hikes, landlords can only increase rent once within any 12-month period for periodic tenancies, helping balance tenant and landlord interests to some extent.
For tenants on a month-to-month lease, landlords are required by law to provide written notice at least 30 days before the increase takes effect. This notice must clearly state the new rental amount and the date when it will begin. For tenants in mobile home lots, the notice period is extended to 90 days, offering more time to prepare for the financial change. Fixed-term lease tenants are generally protected from rent increases during the lease period, unless the lease contract explicitly allows otherwise. Rent increases usually occur at the time of lease renewal or when the tenancy converts to a month-to-month arrangement.
Despite the lack of statewide rent control, landlords must be careful not to raise rent in retaliation against tenants who exercise their legal rights, such as filing complaints or requesting repairs, as retaliatory rent hikes are illegal under state law. Similarly, rent increases cannot be discriminatory based on protected classes including race, color, sex, religion, disability, familial status, or national origin, in compliance with the federal Fair Housing Act. If rent increases appear retaliatory or discriminatory, tenants have grounds to challenge them legally.
Tenants are advised to keep any written communication related to rent increase notices for future reference, ensuring transparency and protection in case of disputes. While landlords have wide latitude to raise rents, doing so excessively without justification could deter tenants and increase vacancy rates, so market rates and property conditions often influence reasonable rent adjustments practically.
If tenants find rent increases unaffordable, they may be at risk of eviction for non-payment, but landlords must follow proper eviction procedures, including required notices and court filings. Overall, tenants in North Dakota should carefully review lease terms, stay informed about notice requirements, and understand their rights to contest unfair increases while preparing financially for potential rent hikes in a no-rent-control environment.
North Dakota allows landlords to raise rent by any amount with adequate advance written notice—30 days for month-to-month and 90 days for mobile home tenants. Rent cannot be increased during a fixed lease term unless permitted by lease terms. Illegal rent increases include those that are retaliatory or discriminatory, and tenants are protected under these legal standards. This framework places emphasis on notice and fairness while giving landlords substantial freedom to adjust rents in response to market demands.
Sources
(https://www.steadily.com/blog/rent-increase-laws-regulations-north-dakota)
(https://www.steadily.com/blog/how-much-can-a-landlord-raise-rent-in-north-dakota)
(https://www.hemlane.com/resources/north-dakota-rent-control-laws/)
(https://collincountymagazine.com/2025/06/14/north-dakota-rent-increase-laws-2025-what-tenants-should-know/)
(https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/consumer-resources/tenant-rights/)
