Minnesota Lease Agreements & Landlord-Tenant Law

Minnesota is an excellent option for those looking to relocate or invest in real estate. Employment rates are among the highest in the country, meaning there is a high demand for rental housing, plus stable housing rates. Minnesota is a top state for investors and renters alike.

Laws that impact the rental market, landlords, and tenants are constantly being decided in states. Make sure you know what’s on your ballot – find Minnesota voting information here.

Minnesota Renters’ Rights and Landlord Responsibilities

• Required to make repairs within 14 days
• Must return security deposit within 21 days
• One-month, plus one-day notice required before raising monthly rent
• Must give a reasonable amount of notice before entering rental

When it comes to Minnesota rental laws, there are a few specifics landlords need to know:

1. Making Repairs – It is the landlord’s responsibility to keep the rental in safe and healthy living conditions. If something needs repairing, the tenant may deliver the landlord written notice of what needs to be repaired or replaced. The landlord then has 14 days to make the repairs, and if they fail to do so, the tenant may pay for the repairs themselves and deduct the cost from their next rent payment.
2. Security Deposit – Minnesota law does not limit what a landlord can charge for the security deposit. They must, however, return the deposit within 21 days of the tenant moving out.
3. Raising Rent – Landlords in Minnesota may increase the rent to any amount with a one-month, plus one-day notice but do not have to provide justification.
4. Notice of Entry – Landlords must give their tenants a reasonable amount of notice before entering the rental property unless it is an emergency, then no notice is required.

Minnesota Landlords’ Rights and Tenant Responsibilities

• Landlords do not have to give tenants notice of eviction if they fail to pay rent
• Renters have 28 days to claim abandoned property
• Tenants must keep the property in safe and habitable conditions

1. Overdue Rent – If a tenant fails to pay rent on time, the landlord may file for eviction immediately.
2. Abandoned Property – If a tenant moves out and leaves behind personal property, the landlord must give the tenant 28 days to claim the items. If the tenant fails to claim the property, the landlord may dispose of it in any way they deem acceptable.
3. Tenant Responsibilities – Tenants are required to remove all garbage and keep fixtures clean. They must also make minor repairs around the property when necessary.

Pro Tip: Perfecting your tenant screening process can shorten your vacancy cycle by helping you find renters who align with your occupancy needs. At a minimum, your applicant screening should explore prospective tenants’ rental history, credit report, and criminal record. Note that you cannot consider misdemeanors with dates of sentencing older than three years, nor can you consider felonies with dates of sentencing older than seven years during the criminal background check. You also cannot consider convictions for specific felonies with dates of sentencing older than 10 years, including first-degree murder or first-degree arson.

Application Fee

A Minnesota rental application fee must not exceed the actual cost of screening. Any extra money beyond what’s needed for a screening should be refunded.

Criminal Background Checks

Landlords can screen for criminal history, but with Minneapolis’ 2020 ordinance, Minneapolis landlords can no longer deny an applicant on the basis of a misdemeanor if the conviction is older than three years. A felony conviction older than seven years cannot be used to deny an applicant. Also, an eviction history older than three years cannot be a basis for rejection.

Late Fee

Minnesota landlords can charge an 8% late fee.

Security Deposits

Security deposits must accrue interest at 1% per annum.

Disclosures

Landlords must notify tenants of this handbook and make it available to them. Additionally, landlords must include the following disclosures in the lease:

• Inspection/Condemnation Information, applicable if any health and safety inspection citation has been given. If something in the property poses a health risk, the landlord must disclose the nature of the risk and attach the corresponding citation to the lease
• Foreclosure, if property is currently in foreclosure action
• Unlawful Activity Language
• Shared Utilities

Build a Minnesota lease agreement in less than 15 minutes.

Minnesota Lease Agreement

There are three sections to a residential lease agreement. The first section outlines the custom details of the contract, such as who’s involved and for what address. Here’s an example Minnesota lease agreement listing details found in Section 1:

Minnesota Landlord-Tenant Law FAQ

Below are answers to some of the most commonly-asked questions when it comes to landlord-tenant laws in the state of Minnesota:

Due Diligence and Minnesota Rental Laws

TurboTenant has utilized many municipal sources along with official state statutes in order to compile this information to the best of our ability. However, local laws are always in flux, and landlords and tenants alike should be sure to do their due diligence and consult legal help when it’s needed. We hope the following list can serve as a valuable resource and allow you to succeed as a landlord or tenant in Minnesota. Be sure to take proper precautions when it comes to finding the top candidates for your unit by utilizing our online rental application and tenant screening services.

Disclaimer:

TurboTenant, Inc does not provide legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only. All users are advised to check all applicable local, state, and federal laws and consult legal counsel should questions arise.

Minnesota Landlord-Tenant Law Resources

• Minnesota Landlord-Tenant Law (Statutes)
• Minnesota Security Deposit Law (Statutes)

Minnesota Fair Housing Resources

• Minnesota Fair Housing
• HUD in Minnesota
• Tenant Rights, Laws, and Protections: Minnesota

Other State Resources

• Minnesota Office of Attorney General: Landlord-Tenant Rights and Responsibilities
• Minnesota Judicial Branch: Landlord and Tenant Issues
• Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
• Minnesota Multi-Housing Association

City-Specific Housing Resources

Minneapolis

• Minneapolis Rental Unit Licensing
• Minneapolis Housing Codes
• Minneapolis Property Management Tips
• Minneapolis Public Housing Authority
• Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS®

St. Paul

• City of St. Paul – Landlord-Tenant Issues
• City of St. Paul – Human Rights and Fair Housing
• St. Paul Housing Code
• St. Paul Property Code Enforcement
• St. Paul Public Housing Agency

Rochester

• City of Rochester – Rental Housing Resources
• City of Rochester – Residential Construction Building Code
• The Southeast Minnesota REALTORS®

Bloomington

• Bloomington – Rental Housing Code
• Bloomington – Fair Housing
• Bloomington – Affordable Housing
• Bloomington – Residential Property Code Compliance
• Bloomington – Rental Housing Licensing and Inspection Program

Duluth

• Duluth – Housing Booklet and Resources
• Duluth – Building Code Resources
• The Duluth Area Association of REALTORS® 

Federal Fair Housing Resources

• Federal Fair Housing Act
• United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Wikipedia)