Minnesota landlord tenant law: the rules a landlord meets

Minnesota security deposit law

Most you can take

No cap in statuteNo statute sets this

Back to the tenant within

21 daysMinn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 3Statute says three weeks; five days if the building is condemned.

Rent and late fees

Late fee

8% of the monthly rentMinn. Stat. § 504B.1778% of the overdue rent payment, and only if agreed in writing.

Minnesota rent increase laws and rent control

Notice before a rent increase

No statutory period confirmedMinn. Stat. § 471.9996No statute sets a rent-increase notice period. Cities may control rent only through a measure approved at a general election, and Saint Paul caps increases at 3% a year with exceptions.

Rent control

Local rent control allowedMinn. Stat. § 471.9996

Entering the property: notice to the tenant

Notice before you enter

24 hoursMinn. Stat. § 504B.211, subd. 2

Ending a tenancy and eviction notices

Ending a month-to-month tenancy

30 daysMinn. Stat. § 504B.135Written notice at least as long as the interval between rent due dates, or three months if less; one full rental period for monthly rent.

Unpaid rent

14 daysMinn. Stat. §§ 504B.321, subd. 1a; 504B.291, subd. 1“14-day notice of nonpayment”Paying in full within the period stops itThe notice must list the amount due and include the statutory legal-help and rental-assistance statements, and a longer local notice period applies where one exists (Saint Paul requires 60 days). After filing, the tenant can still redeem by paying the arrears, interest, costs and a fee of up to $5 before possession is delivered.

Another breach of the lease

Could not be confirmedMinn. Stat. §§ 504B.285, subd. 1; 504B.321, subd. 3“breach of lease”The statute does not say whether the breach can be fixedNo statute requires a notice before filing for a breach of lease, but the complaint must name the lease clause breached and the clause granting the right to evict. Any notice the lease itself requires still applies.

Lockouts and shutoffs

Banned: lockouts and utility shutoffsMinn. Stat. §§ 504B.225, 504B.221, 504B.375

The Minnesota eviction process, step by step

Disclosures a Minnesota lease has to carry

• The landlord must give, in the lease or in writing before the tenancy starts, the name and address of the manager and of the owner or agent for service of process. (Minn. Stat. § 504B.181)
• All non-optional fees must be disclosed in the lease, with a 'Total Monthly Payment' of rent plus mandatory fees on the first page, and the lease must say whether utilities are included. (Minn. Stat. § 504B.120)
• Before a lease is signed or money is paid, the landlord must give copies of any outstanding health or safety inspection orders with citations and any condemnation orders. (Minn. Stat. § 504B.195)