Housing

SB 2237 would require North Dakota's labor commissioner to investigate tenant complaints about landlords violating specific housing laws (sections 47-16-20 and 47-32-02) and take disciplinary action against non-compliant landlords. The bill mandates that the labor commissioner provide landlords with written notice of alleged violations and a reasonable time to fix the issues before taking action, with notice delivered personally or via certified mail. Landlords directly affected would face potential disciplinary measures under this new process, while tenants would gain a formal channel to report housing disputes. The bill aimed to expand the labor commissioner's role from workplace safety to certain landlord-tenant enforcement, though it failed to pass in February 2025.

SB 2236 would have limited late fees on rental payments in North Dakota to no more than 8% of the overdue rent amount. The bill specifically applied to landlords and renters in standard residential rental agreements, capping fees for payments not made by the end of the month or the date specified in the lease. It amended North Dakota's Century Code to replace existing late fee rules with this 8% maximum. The proposal aimed to prevent excessive late charges but failed to pass the legislature in February 2025.