Minnesota Landlord Guide — Get Your Action Plan in 60 Seconds

Tenant behind on rent? Damage beyond wear and tear? Holding over after the lease ended? Describe the situation in your own words and get a plain-English breakdown, severity rating, step-by-step next steps, and ready-to-send notices — specific to Minnesota law.

Minnesota landlord law, at a glance

• Security deposit: you must return it within 21 days of move-out, with an itemized statement for deductions.
• Tenant entry: Landlords must generally give 24-hour notice before entering, except in emergencies.
• Eviction: you must go through the courts. Self-help eviction is illegal.

Minn. Stat. §504B.178 requires the deposit back within 21 days, but only 5 days if the tenant vacated because of a qualifying condemnation. Landlords must give at least 24 hours' notice with a stated entry window, normally between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. (§504B.211). There is no statutory grace period; late fees require a written agreement and cannot exceed 8% of the overdue rent (§504B.177). Lockouts and intentional utility shutoffs are banned (§§504B.225, 504B.375), and eviction requires a court order.

Free legal help in Minnesota

• HOME Line — (612) 728-5767 — Statewide FREE tenant hotline: legal advice for renters; toll-free (866) 866-3546 from Greater MN.
• Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid — (877) 696-6529 — Free legal-aid attorneys incl. eviction defense; statewide intake number.
• LawHelp Minnesota — (651) 228-9105 — State LawHelp portal: free legal info and provider/clinic directory.
• Call or text 211 for free local referrals.

Common questions