At a Glance
| Question | Answer | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Security deposit limit? | No statutory limit | Landlords may charge any amount |
| Rent control? | No statewide | St. Paul passed rent stabilization in 2021 |
| Required notice to raise rent? | 30 days | For month-to-month tenancies; lease term governs otherwise |
| Lease required in writing? | No | Oral leases are enforceable but written leases are recommended |
| Landlord entry notice? | Reasonable notice | No specific statutory timeframe |
Security Deposits
Minnesota does not impose a statutory cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. However, the law sets clear requirements for how deposits must be handled and returned.
Landlords must return the deposit within 21 days of the tenant vacating the unit, along with an itemized statement of any deductions. If the tenant's forwarding address is not provided, the landlord must send the deposit to the tenant's last known address.
Landlords may also collect a prepaid rent amount, which is treated separately from the security deposit.
Eviction Procedures
Minnesota requires landlords to follow specific legal procedures to evict a tenant. Self-help evictions (changing locks, shutting off utilities, removing belongings) are illegal.
Notice Requirements
- 14-Day Notice: For nonpayment of rent
- 30-Day Notice: For termination of a month-to-month tenancy without cause
- Immediate Filing: For serious lease violations including illegal drug activity, violent crime, or conduct that endangers the safety of other residents
After the notice period expires, the landlord must file an eviction action (unlawful detainer) in district court and obtain a court order before proceeding.
Rent Control
Minnesota does not have a statewide rent control law. However, St. Paul passed a rent stabilization ordinance in November 2021 that caps annual rent increases at 3% regardless of inflation or vacancy. The ordinance has been subject to ongoing amendments and legal challenges.
Minneapolis voters rejected a rent control ballot measure in the same election. Other Minnesota cities do not have rent control ordinances.
Landlords outside of St. Paul may raise rent by any amount with proper notice for month-to-month tenancies.
Lease Agreements
Minnesota does not require leases to be in writing, and oral lease agreements are legally enforceable. However, written leases are strongly recommended for clarity and to document the terms of the tenancy.
Required Disclosures
Minnesota landlords must provide the following disclosures:
- Lead-based paint (pre-1978 properties)
- Outstanding inspection orders: Any outstanding code violations or inspection orders issued within the last 12 months
- Landlord identity: The name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises and to receive legal notices
- Covenant of habitability: The tenant's right to a habitable dwelling
- Tenant screening: Landlords must disclose their screening criteria before collecting an application fee
Tenant Rights
Minnesota provides important protections for tenants:
- Habitability: Landlords must maintain rental units in reasonable repair and fit for the use intended, including working plumbing, heating, electricity, and structural integrity
- Retaliation protection: Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for reporting code violations, exercising legal rights, or participating in tenant organizations
- Discrimination protection: The Minnesota Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, disability, public assistance status, sexual orientation, and age
- Tenant remedies action: Tenants may file a rent escrow action if the landlord fails to maintain the property
- Lockout protection: Landlords may not lock out tenants or remove their belongings without a court order
- Domestic violence protections: Tenants who are victims of domestic violence may terminate their lease early without penalty