South Dakota Rental Laws

South Dakota Rental Laws

Your South Dakota Rental Laws Guide to helpful links and information for leases, rent, security deposits, tenant screening, real estate and government.

Official Website of the State of South Dakota

The United States Census Bureau estimates that the population of South Dakota was 844,877 on July 1, 2014, a 4.79% increase since the 2010 United States Census

The State of South Dakota has 66 counties.

State Rules and Regulations

Important Lease Terms

Security Deposits

  • Amount: 1 Month
  • Return Deadline:  Two weeks, and must supply reasons if withholding any portion; 45 days for a written, itemized accounting, if tenant requests it

Fees and Notice

  • Applications Fees: No Restrictions
  • Termination Notice:  Landlord can file eviction lawsuit immediately, without giving tenant an opportunity to cure, if tenant violates a lease clause that provides for immediate termination upon violation.
  • Tenant Rights to Withhold Rent: Yes with conditions

Landlord Disclosures

Real Estate Links

Federal Government

  • Fair Credit Reporting Act:  Federal Government legislation which promotes the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of consumer information contained in the files of consumer reporting agencies.
  • Fair Housing Act:  The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting, buying, or securing financing for any housing. The prohibitions specifically cover discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and the presence of children

Credit Reports

Tenant Screening

  • Counties covered:  Aurora,   Beadle,   Bennett,   Bon Homme,   Brookings,   Brown,   Brule,   Buffalo,   Butte,   Campbell,   Charles Mix,   Clark,   Clay,   Codington,   Corson,   Custer,   Davison,   Day,   Deuel,   Dewey,   Douglas,   Edmunds,   Fall River,   Faulk,   Grant,   Gregory,   Haakon,   Hamlin,   Hand,   Hanson,   Harding,   Hughes,   Hutchinson,   Hyde,   Jackson,   Jerauld,   Jones,   Kingsbury,   Lake,   Lawrence,   Lincoln,   Lyman,   McCook,   McPherson,   Marshall,   Meade,   Mellette,   Miner,   Minnehaha,   Moody,   Pennington,   Perkins,   Potter,   Roberts,   Sanborn,   Shannon,   Spink,   Stanley,   Sully,   Todd,   Tripp,   Turner,   Union,   Walworth,   Yankton,   Ziebach
  • Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

Last Updated: April 20, 2020