North Dakota Lease Termination Letter (Ending a Lease Early)

A free North Dakota lease termination letter (ending a lease early) that follows North Dakota law. Fill in the boxes, check the rules below, then print or copy it. Keep a copy and proof of how you sent it.

What North Dakota law says

Ending a lease: military, medical, death	Tenant's death: on the death of a residential tenant, any surviving tenant or the estate may choose to end the lease on the last day of the month following the month of death. Chapter 47-16 has no state-law right for military members (beyond federal SCRA), medical or disability reasons, or seniors moving to care. A tenant may also end the lease if the landlord fails to make repairs or provide quiet possession within a reasonable time, or if the main part of the premises is destroyed. Source: N.D.C.C. § 47-16-18; § 47-16-17
Ending a lease: domestic violence	A tenant who is a domestic violence victim, or who fears imminent domestic violence against the tenant or the tenant's minor children, may end the lease. The tenant gives the landlord advance written notice saying the tenant fears imminent domestic violence from a person named in a court order, no-contact order, protection order, or other court record, that the tenant needs to end the tenancy, and the specific end date. The notice goes by mail, fax, or in person. The tenant owes rent for the full month in which the tenancy ends plus one more month's rent (subject to the landlord's duty to mitigate), paid on or before the end date, and is then released from the rest of the lease. The landlord must keep the documentation confidential. Refusing to rent to someone for using this right is prohibited, with $1,000 statutory damages plus actual damages and attorney's fees. Source: N.D.C.C. § 47-16-17.1

Ending a lease: military, medical, death

Tenant's death: on the death of a residential tenant, any surviving tenant or the estate may choose to end the lease on the last day of the month following the month of death. Chapter 47-16 has no state-law right for military members (beyond federal SCRA), medical or disability reasons, or seniors moving to care. A tenant may also end the lease if the landlord fails to make repairs or provide quiet possession within a reasonable time, or if the main part of the premises is destroyed.

Source: N.D.C.C. § 47-16-18; § 47-16-17

Ending a lease: domestic violence

A tenant who is a domestic violence victim, or who fears imminent domestic violence against the tenant or the tenant's minor children, may end the lease. The tenant gives the landlord advance written notice saying the tenant fears imminent domestic violence from a person named in a court order, no-contact order, protection order, or other court record, that the tenant needs to end the tenancy, and the specific end date. The notice goes by mail, fax, or in person. The tenant owes rent for the full month in which the tenancy ends plus one more month's rent (subject to the landlord's duty to mitigate), paid on or before the end date, and is then released from the rest of the lease. The landlord must keep the documentation confidential. Refusing to rent to someone for using this right is prohibited, with $1,000 statutory damages plus actual damages and attorney's fees.

Source: N.D.C.C. § 47-16-17.1

Fill in your letter

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To: [landlord or manager name], [landlord address]

From: [your name], tenant at [rental address]

I am ending my lease early under N.D.C.C. § 47-16-18; § 47-16-17 for this reason: [the reason the law allows, e.g. active military orders].

I have attached [the documents the law requires, e.g. a copy of the orders].

My termination date is [termination date], and I will return the keys by [key return date].

Please return my security deposit, less only lawful deductions, to [forwarding address].

Date: [today's date]
Tenant: [your name]
Signature: ____________________

How to send it: use a method you can prove — certified mail with return receipt, or email/text if your lease allows notices that way. Write down the date.

Lease Termination Letter (Ending a Lease Early) templates for other states · All North Dakota landlord-tenant rules · Free legal help in North Dakota

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.