North Dakota Rent Late Fee Rules

No statutory requirement: North Dakota's residential tenancy law in Chapter 47-16 contains no provision setting a maximum late fee, a percentage cap, or a required grace period before a late charge may be imposed. Because the legislature has not regulated the amount, a late fee is a matter of contract — it is only chargeable if the lease provides for it, and the amount the parties agree to controls. North Dakota common-law contract principles still bar charges that operate as an unenforceable penalty rather than a reasonable pre-estimate of damages, so an excessive or punitive late fee may be challenged. Separately, § 47-32-01(4) lets a landlord begin eviction if a tenant 'fails to pay rent for three days after the rent is due,' which functions as the statutory consequence of late payment.

No specific statutory penalty. A late fee is enforced as a contract term; a tenant may contest a charge not stated in the lease or one so excessive it functions as an unlawful penalty rather than liquidated damages.