The North Dakota Rental Application Process
These forms allow the landlord to choose the most qualified tenant by taking an in-depth look at a tenant’s finances, rental history, and credit history. Rental applications generally ask for the following information:
- Applicant’s full name
- His or her driver’s license number or ID number
- Date of birth
- Social security number (for credit checks and background checks)
- Employment history
- Rental history
Rental applications generally require a non-refundable fee paid by the applicant. The application must comply with both federal fair housing laws and with North Dakota landlord-tenant laws.
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A rental application form is an indispensable tenant screening tool for landlords and property managers because it helps determine which potential tenants are a good risk.
One consideration is whether you'll require a married couple or a couple in a civil union or domestic partnership to fill out separate applications or if they can use the same one. If you determine that the applicants may use the same form, ensure that you provide enough space for both applicants to provide their answers.
Divide the rental application into specific sections that request specific information:
- A section for the applicant's personal information. Include the applicant's full legal name, social security number, birthday, cell phone number, and work number. You should also request the applicant's emergency contact information.
- A section for the applicant's rental history. Begin with the applicant's current full address, including the city, state, and zip code. It should also request the contact information for their current landlord, the amount of time they've lived at their current address, and monthly rent paid. Include extra spaces for the applicant to provide additional rental history.
- A section for the applicant's employment history. Begin with the applicant's current employer, address, applicant's job title, how long the applicant has worked for their employer, supervisor’s name, and contact information for either their supervisor or HR. Include extra spaces for the application to provide additional employment history.
- Ask for all income sources, the type of income sources, how often the applicant receives each income source, and the amount of each income source. Also, ask whether the applicant has checking or savings accounts and which financial institutions manage those accounts.
- A section for the applicant to list how many vehicles they own and a description of each vehicle. Include the year, make, model, color, and license plate number. If your rental property relies on assigned parking or parking permits, having a description of the vehicles authorized to be on the property helps management.
- Request the name and age for each person who will live in the rental with the applicant.
- Ask whether the applicant owns any pets, the number of pets, the type of pets, and the size.
- Add an authorization for the background check and credit check. This language should follow North Dakota law. Generally, the authorization must include language that states the applicant's signature permits you to run these checks. It also mentions the type of checks you will perform and that the fee they paid is non-refundable.
- A signature line for the applicant and the date.
Rental Application Resources for Tenants in North Dakota
If you're a renter in North Dakota, you have rights as a party to a lease agreement. The following links can help you understand your rights and be a source of help for you:
- The North Dakota Attorney General's website has a plain English explanation of your rights as a tenant. It tells you what you should know before signing a lease agreement, the security deposit, rent, and the landlord's responsibilities.
- Legal Services of North Dakota explains landlord-tenant law; however, it is clear that the information is not a substitute for legal advice. It explains your obligation and rights related to paying your rent, provides information about late fees, gives you information about rent increases, instructs how you should request repairs, and more. They also provide information related to domestic violence housing protections and rent refunds.
- The North Dakota Legal Self Help Center offers a free PDF download to explain eviction.
North Dakota Rental Application Laws
According to North Dakota state law, a security deposit may not exceed more than one month’s rent. If a tenant has a pet, the deposit may not exceed $2,500 or two month’s rent (whichever is greater).
Additionally, the landlord must pay the tenant interest on the security deposit if they stay in the rental for longer than 9 months. The landlord must pay this interest when the tenant vacates the property. Additionally, once the tenant vacates the rental, the landlord has 30 days to return the deposit plus interest (North Dakota Century Code § 47-16-07.1).
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