Minnesota does not have statewide rent control or rent stabilization. However, Minnesota state law (Minn. Stat. § 471.9996 sub. 2) explicitly authorizes cities to establish their own rent stabilization policies — a relatively rare grant of local authority.
As of 2026, only St. Paul has exercised this authority:
Minneapolis and all other Minnesota cities do not have rent stabilization ordinances. Landlords in those cities can raise rent by any amount with proper notice.
St. Paul's ordinance limits residential rent increases to 3% per 12-month period as the standard cap. Landlords may apply for exceptions that allow higher increases if they can demonstrate a need for a reasonable return on investment. The ordinance is enforced by the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI).
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard Rent Cap | 3% per 12-month period |
| Exceptions | Self-Certification (3%–8%); Just Cause Vacancy (CPI + 8%); Staff Determination (no limit with written justification) |
| Exemptions | Properties built after December 31, 2004; government units; hotels/motels; religious facilities; hospitals/nursing homes |
| Enforcement | Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) |
| Effective Date | January 1, 2023 |
Read the full St. Paul rent stabilization guide →
While Minnesota has no statewide rent cap, state law gives all Minnesota renters meaningful baseline protections:
Minnesota landlords must provide written notice before raising rent. For month-to-month leases, this means at least one full rental period (typically 30 days) in advance. Fixed-term leases cannot be increased mid-lease unless the lease expressly allows it.
Under Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, landlords must return security deposits — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 21 days of the tenancy ending. Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits may owe the tenant the withheld amount plus a $500 penalty and attorney fees.
Minnesota landlords must maintain rental properties in habitable condition under the Covenants of Habitability (Minn. Stat. § 504B.161). This includes working heat, plumbing, electrical systems, and structural safety. Tenants may have remedies including rent escrow, repair-and-deduct, or lease termination if a landlord fails to address serious habitability issues after written notice.
Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for exercising their legal rights — such as reporting code violations, using rent escrow, or organizing with other tenants. Retaliatory rent increases or eviction notices are prohibited under Minnesota law.
Minneapolis, the state's largest city, does not have a rent stabilization ordinance as of 2026. Minneapolis voters considered a ballot measure in 2021 but it did not pass. The city has studied rent stabilization but has not enacted it.
Other major Minnesota cities — including Rochester, Duluth, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Plymouth, St. Cloud, Eagan, and Woodbury — also do not have rent stabilization. Any of these cities could enact one under state law, but none had done so as of 2026.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
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