What should a tenant do if they are in dispute with a landlord?

If a tenant is in dispute with a landlord in North Dakota, the first step they should take is to review the provisions of their lease. Often, the language of the lease will address how disputes should be handled and the procedures for doing so. If the lease does not provide a method for resolving disputes, the tenant should contact the landlord to discuss the issue. If a resolution cannot be reached between the parties, the tenant may need to take legal action. In North Dakota, a tenant can file a complaint in small claims court. This is a court of limited jurisdiction and is reserved for disputes between landlords and tenants that involve less than $15,000. Before filing the complaint, the tenant should review the North Dakota Statutes section concerning landlord and tenant law and familiarize themselves with the relevant laws. If the dispute involves a significant sum of money, the tenant may want to consider hiring an attorney to protect their rights. The North Dakota Bar Association can provide referrals to qualified attorneys in the area. In any case, the tenant should keep clear records of any attempts they have made to resolve the dispute, such as any letters they sent to the landlord or conversations they had. It is also important to keep a record of any relevant documents that the tenant may have in their possession. All of this documentation may be helpful in the event that legal action needs to be taken.

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