Minnesota Landlord Tenant Law and Regulations

Minnesota Landlord-Tenant Law: Guide for Self-Managing Landlords & Property Managers

Minnesota landlords need to be familiar with all Minnesota landlord-tenant laws. This is key for protecting your investment, reducing liability, and ensuring strong landlord-tenant relationships. Minnesota has specific laws for things like tenant screening, lease disclosures, security deposits, and rent collection. 

Check out our updated 2026 guide for an overview of key laws, rules,  and best practices to help you stay informed, stay compliant, and stay protected. 

Table of Contents

• Minnesota Tenant Screening Laws
• Minnesota Lease Laws & Required Disclosures 
• Security Deposit Regulations in Minnesota: Limits, Holding, and Returning Requirements for Landlords 
• Collecting Rent in Minnesota: Grace Periods, Late Fees, & Rent Increases 
• What Are Landlord Responsibilities and Rights in Minnesota? 
• What Are Tenant Rights and Responsibilities in Minnesota? 
• MInnesota Eviction Laws & Procedures 
• Minnesota Landlord-Tenant Laws FAQs; 2026 Guide 

Minnesota Tenant Screening Laws for Landlords 

Minnesota has more tenant screening laws and regulations than many other states. While landlords may charge a screening fee, they can only collect a rental application fee if: (1) a rental unit will be available in a reasonable time period; (2) All prior applicants have been screened and either were rejected or declined the rental unit. 

Whenever a landlord accepts a screening fee, the landlord must disclose: 

1. The name and contact information of the screening service providing the report (if applicable)
2. The criteria the landlord will use to select an applicant

If an applicant is not selected, the landlord must notify the applicant within 14 days and identify the reason the applicant was rejected.

Ready to start a legally compliant Minnesota tenant screening? Send a tenant screening request now. 

Fair Housing Laws 

Federal fair housing laws prohibit landlords from discriminating against applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, familial status, sex, or disability. Minnesota fair housing laws extend these protections to creed, marital status, and public assistance status. Landlords cannot make housing decisions based on any of these protected categories. 

Minnesota Lease Laws & Required Disclosures

Minnesota lease agreements should include basic lease terms like the parties, the property address, the lease term, and the rent amount. The lease should also address maintenance responsibilities, property rules, occupancy limits, entry requirements, and lease renewal and termination procedures. 

In addition, the following required disclosures must be included in a Minnesota Lease: 

• Covenant of the Landlord and Tenant Not to Allow Unlawful Activity: Specific language from MN Statute Section 504B.206(1)(e) must be included in every lease agreement. 
• Landlord/Agent Information: The Lease must disclose the manager authorized to act on the property and provide an address for notices. 
• Minnesota Landlords and Tenants Rights and Responsibilities: Landlords must notify Tenants that the Landlord-Tenant Rights Handbook is available to them. 
• Lead-based Paint Disclosure: If the property was built before 1978, occupants must be provided with a lead-based paint disclosure or certification. 
• Outstanding Inspection Orders: Landlords must disclose if the property has any outstanding inspection orders due to a code infraction. 
• Financial Distress: If the rental unit is being foreclosed on or there is a deed of cancellation, the Lease Agreement cannot exceed two months. 
• Total Monthly Payment: The total of all required fees must be described as “Total Monthly Payment” on the first page of the lease and included in any ad or posting for the rental. 

Our Minnesota Lease Agreement is guaranteed to comply with all Minnesota lease laws and includes unlimited access to our electronic signing tool, ezSign. 

Create Minnesota Lease Agreement 

Minnesota Security Deposit Laws: Limits, Interest, and Return Requirements 

Are there limits on how much a Minnesota landlord may charge for the security deposit? 

In Minnesota, there is no statewide limit on the security deposit amount. However, the security deposit should be reasonable. Generally, 1-2 months’ rent is considered reasonable. 

Do landlords have to pay interest on the security deposit? 

Yes, Minnesota landlords must pay 1% interest on the security deposit, accruing one month after the deposit is paid.

How long do landlords have to return the security deposit in Minnesota? 

Landlords must return the security deposit, along with an itemized list of deductions, within 21 days of the end of a tenancy. 

Note: If a tenancy ends because the rental unit is condemned, the landlord must return the security deposit within 5 days. 

Collecting Rent in Minnesota: Grace Periods, Late Fees, & Rent Increases 

In Minnesota, rent is due on the date specified in the lease. Minnesota lease agreements should specify the rent due date, acceptable payment methods, how payments should be made, and any late fee provisions. 

Is there a statewide grace period for late rent in Minnesota? 

There is no statewide grace period for late rent in Minnesota. This means that rent can be considered late any time after the due date. However, many lease agreements include a grace period – most commonly 5 days. 

If your rental agreement sets a grace period, then rent cannot be considered late until after the grace period. 

Can Minnesota landlords charge a late fee? 

Minnesota landlords may only charge a late fee if the fee, and any late fee terms, are included in the lease. 

Late fees may not exceed 8% of the overdue rent. If the lease includes a provision about a late fee that is more than 8% of the overdue rent, the clause is unenforceable. 

How Can Landlords Legally Increase Rent in Minnesota? 

Landlords may not increase rent during a fixed-term tenancy, but may increase rent at lease renewal. Landlords should give the amount of notice required by either party to renew or terminate the lease. For example, if the tenant must give 30 days notice of non-renewal, the landlord should provide at least 30 days’ notice of the rent increase. If the tenant must give 60 days’ notice of non-renewal, the landlord must provide 60 days’ notice of the rent increase. 

For month-to-month tenancies, landlords must give notice of one full period plus one. 

There is no statewide limit on rent increases, so landlords may increase rent by any amount after giving proper notice. Note: landlords should check local laws for limits on rent increases. 

Minnesota Landlord Rights and Responsibilities 

Minnesota landlords have a right to: 

• Collect rent
• Enforce reasonable lease provisions
• Enter a rental unit after providing adequate notice
• Collect and hold a security deposit 
• Legally evict a tenant 

To exercise all rights, landlords must comply with all state and federal responsibilities. Minnesota landlords have a responsibility to: 

• Provide a safe and habitable property 
• Make timely repairs 
• Properly hold and return the security deposit 
• Provide adequate notice before entering the property, terminating the lease, or increasing rent
• Comply with all Minnesota and federal fair housing laws 
• Comply with all notice and procedural requirements when evicting a tenant 

What Are Tenant Rights and Responsibilities in Minnesota? 

Minnesota tenants have a right to: 

• Habitable and safe housing 
• Privacy 
• Fair treatment under federal and Minnesota fair housing laws 
• Receive proper notice before landlord entry, non-renewal, or rent increases 
• Receive their security deposit and/or a list of itemized deductions within 3 weeks of the end of the tenancy 
• Protections from illegal eviction procedures 
• Request repairs for essential services or issues that affect a unit’s safety or habitability 

Tenant responsibilities in Minnesota include: 

• Paying rent on time 
• Complying with all reasonable lease terms
• Keeping the rental unit in a clean, safe, and habitable condition 
• Timely reporting of maintenance issues 
• Avoiding intentional or negligent damage to the rental unit 
• Providing proper notice to end a tenancy 

Minnesota Eviction Laws and Notice Requirements 

To legally evict a tenant, landlords must comply with all notice and procedural requirements. Landlords may evict tenants who fall behind on rent or violate the lease agreement. 

For tenants with unpaid rent, landlords must give at least 14 days’ notice. Landlords should issue a Minnesota 14-Day Demand for Rent, notifying the tenant of how much rent is unpaid, when rent must be paid, and the tenant’s right to seek legal help. 

For lease violations, there is no required statutory period. However, landlords usually issue a Notice to Cure or Vacate, giving the tenant a set timeline to either cure the lease violation or vacate the rental property. 

Once landlords have provided an applicant with proper notice, the landlord may initiate eviction proceedings. Landlords should always comply with all procedural steps and requirements. 

A landlord should never initiate a self-help eviction by doing things like changing the locks, shutting off the utilities, or moving a tenant’s personal property. 

Minnesota Landlord-Tenant Laws FAQs: 2026 Guide 

Is there rent control in Minnesota? 

There is no statewide rent control in Minnesota. However, landlords should always check local laws to ensure they comply with all rent increase laws. 

For example, in Saint Paul, landlords may not increase rent more than 3% within 12 months. 

How long do Minnesota landlords have to make rental unit repairs? 

There is no set timeframe in Minnesota for making repairs. However, landlords should complete all repairs in a reasonable time period. The amount of time that is considered reasonable usually varies based on the type of repair – for example, emergency issues might need to be repaired within 48 hours, while less serious repairs should be made within 14 days. 

How much notice must landlords give before entering a Minnesota rental unit? 

Landlords may enter a unit for repairs, maintenance, inspections, or showings. However, to protect a tenant’s right to privacy, landlords must provide written notice to enter. 

Minnesota law does not provide a specific timeframe for entry, but states that landlords must provide reasonable notice. Generally, 24 hours’ notice is considered reasonable. 

Do Minnesota lease agreements automatically renew? 

Whether or not a MN lease automatically renews depends on the specific language of the lease agreement. Check the language in your lease to determine whether it automatically renews, converts to a month-to-month lease agreement, or terminates. 

Do Minnesota landlords have to provide tenants with rent receipts? 

Landlords are only required to provide tenants with rent receipts for rent payments made in cash. However, landlords should keep records of all rental payments.