North Dakota Death of a tenant

What happens to the lease when a tenant dies in North Dakota?

When a residential tenant dies, a surviving tenant or the estate can choose to end the lease on the last day of the month after the month of death, unless the lease expires sooner. Code text: "Upon the death of a lessee of real property for residential purposes, however, and at the option of any surviving lessee or of the estate of the decedent, the lease terminates on the last day of the month in the month following the death of the lessee unless the lease term expires before that time."

Verified Source: N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-18 · last checked 2026-10-16