Pet Addendum in North Dakota

Adds pet terms to a lease. Assistance animals for people with disabilities are not pets: no pet fee or pet rent may be charged for them under federal fair housing rules.

What North Dakota law says

Pet deposits and fees	A landlord may charge a separate pet security deposit, in addition to the regular security deposit (capped at one month's rent, or two months in limited cases). The pet deposit may not exceed the greater of $2,500 or two months' rent. It may not be charged for a service animal or companion animal that a tenant with a disability needs as a reasonable accommodation under fair housing laws. The deposit may be applied to damage caused by the tenant's pet. The statute does not address monthly pet rent. Source: N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1(1)-(3)
Service & support animals (state law)	If a rental has a no-pets policy and a tenant asks for a service or assistance animal as a disability accommodation, the landlord may require reliable supporting documentation confirming the disability and the disability-related need, from a physician or medical professional who does not operate in North Dakota solely to certify assistance animals. No documentation may be required if the disability or need is readily apparent or already known. Knowingly making a false disability claim or providing fraudulent documentation is an infraction; after a guilty plea or conviction the landlord may evict and collect a damage fee of up to $1,000. Pet deposits (capped at the greater of $2,500 or two months' rent) may not be charged for a service or companion animal needed as a reasonable accommodation. Federal Fair Housing Act rules also apply. The tenant remains liable for actual damage caused by the animal. Source: N.D.C.C. §§ 47-16-07.5, 47-16-07.6, 47-16-07.1(2)

Pet deposits and fees

A landlord may charge a separate pet security deposit, in addition to the regular security deposit (capped at one month's rent, or two months in limited cases). The pet deposit may not exceed the greater of $2,500 or two months' rent. It may not be charged for a service animal or companion animal that a tenant with a disability needs as a reasonable accommodation under fair housing laws. The deposit may be applied to damage caused by the tenant's pet. The statute does not address monthly pet rent.

Source: N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1(1)-(3)

Service & support animals (state law)

If a rental has a no-pets policy and a tenant asks for a service or assistance animal as a disability accommodation, the landlord may require reliable supporting documentation confirming the disability and the disability-related need, from a physician or medical professional who does not operate in North Dakota solely to certify assistance animals. No documentation may be required if the disability or need is readily apparent or already known. Knowingly making a false disability claim or providing fraudulent documentation is an infraction; after a guilty plea or conviction the landlord may evict and collect a damage fee of up to $1,000. Pet deposits (capped at the greater of $2,500 or two months' rent) may not be charged for a service or companion animal needed as a reasonable accommodation.

Federal Fair Housing Act rules also apply. The tenant remains liable for actual damage caused by the animal.

Source: N.D.C.C. §§ 47-16-07.5, 47-16-07.6, 47-16-07.1(2)

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PET ADDENDUM to the lease for [rental address] dated [lease date]

Tenant: [tenant name] Pet(s): [type, breed, name, weight]

Pet deposit: $[pet deposit] (counts toward any state deposit limit where the law says so). Monthly pet rent: $[pet rent]

The tenant keeps the pet under control, cleans up after it, and pays for damage it causes beyond normal wear and tear.

Signatures and dates: [signatures]

Pet Addendum for other states · North Dakota tenant rights

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.