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Alexandria is a city of roughly 14,000 residents in Douglas County, in west-central Minnesota, and serves as a regional hub for the lakes area. Like many smaller Minnesota cities, Alexandria has a mix of renters and homeowners, with many residents renting apartments, townhomes, and single-family properties throughout the city. Renters here are most commonly searching for information about security deposit returns, what notice a landlord must give before eviction, and what to do if a landlord fails to make repairs.
All renters in Alexandria are protected by Minnesota's comprehensive statewide landlord-tenant law, codified primarily in Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B. These protections cover everything from habitability standards and security deposit handling to anti-retaliation rights and the prohibition on self-help eviction. Alexandria has not enacted any local ordinances that go beyond state law, so state law is the primary framework governing the landlord-tenant relationship here.
This page is intended to help Alexandria renters understand their legal rights in plain language. It is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary — if you have a specific legal problem, contact a qualified attorney or a free legal aid organization in Minnesota.
Alexandria does not have rent control or rent stabilization. There is no local ordinance limiting how much a landlord can increase rent, either between lease terms or upon renewal. Landlords in Alexandria may set rent at any amount and raise it by any amount, subject only to proper notice requirements.
Minnesota state law does permit municipalities to enact rent stabilization ordinances under Minn. Stat. § 471.9996, which was upheld following a 2021 amendment to state law. Cities such as St. Paul and Minneapolis have each enacted a 3% annual rent increase cap under that authority. However, Alexandria has not passed any such ordinance, and no rent stabilization is currently in effect in Douglas County.
In practical terms, this means Alexandria landlords can raise your rent to any amount as long as they provide proper written notice before your lease renews or your tenancy period ends. For month-to-month tenants, that means at least one full rental period of advance written notice of a rent increase. Fixed-term lease tenants are protected from increases until their lease expires, after which the landlord may propose a new rent. If you receive a rent increase notice you believe is retaliatory, see the anti-retaliation section below.
Minnesota's statewide tenant protections under Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B apply fully to all Alexandria renters. Key protections include:
Habitability (Minn. Stat. § 504B.161): Landlords must keep rental units in compliance with applicable health and safety codes and must maintain effective weatherproofing, working plumbing and heating, safe electrical systems, and freedom from pests. If your landlord fails to make necessary repairs, you may have the right to deposit rent into court escrow under the rent escrow remedy provided by Minn. Stat. § 504B.385, which can compel repairs and potentially reduce your rent obligation.
Security Deposit (Minn. Stat. § 504B.178): Landlords must return your security deposit — plus any accrued interest — within 21 days of move-out, along with a written itemized statement of any deductions. Failure to comply can result in the landlord owing you up to $500 plus double the amount wrongfully withheld, if a court finds the withholding was in bad faith.
Notice to Terminate (Minn. Stat. § 504B.135): To end a month-to-month tenancy, either the landlord or tenant must give at least one full rental period of written notice. For example, if rent is due on the first of the month, notice must be given before the first of one month to be effective at the end of the following month.
Anti-Retaliation (Minn. Stat. § 504B.441): Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who report code violations, complain to government agencies, organize with other tenants, or exercise any legal right. Retaliation can include eviction, rent increases, or reduction of services. If retaliation is proven in court, a tenant may recover damages.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Minn. Stat. § 504B.225): Landlords may not remove a tenant from a rental unit through self-help measures such as changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities. Any such conduct is unlawful, and tenants may seek immediate court relief, including damages and recovery of possession.
Minnesota law places strict requirements on how landlords handle security deposits in Alexandria. Under Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, a landlord must return your security deposit — along with any interest accrued — within 21 days after you vacate the unit and provide a forwarding address. The landlord must also provide a written, itemized statement explaining any deductions taken from the deposit.
There is no statutory cap on how large a security deposit a landlord may charge in Minnesota, so landlords in Alexandria may request any amount as a deposit at the time of leasing.
Interest accrues on security deposits held for a period of one year or more. The interest rate is set by statute and applies automatically — you do not need to request it.
If your landlord fails to return your deposit within 21 days, fails to provide an itemized statement, or makes deductions that are not legally justified, you may sue in conciliation court (small claims court). If the court finds that the landlord withheld your deposit in bad faith, the landlord may be ordered to pay you up to $500 plus double the amount wrongfully withheld (Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 7). Always document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with photos and written records to support any deposit dispute.
In Alexandria, landlords must follow a strict legal process to evict a tenant. Self-help eviction — such as changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — is illegal under Minn. Stat. § 504B.225. If a landlord attempts any of these actions, a tenant may immediately seek emergency court relief.
Step 1 — Notice: Before filing for eviction, a landlord typically must provide written notice. For nonpayment of rent, Minnesota law does not require a specific waiting period before filing, but many landlords provide a short written notice as a practical matter. For lease violations, the landlord may provide a notice to cure or quit. To end a month-to-month tenancy without cause, the landlord must give at least one full rental period of written notice under Minn. Stat. § 504B.135.
Step 2 — Filing an Eviction Action: If the tenant does not comply or vacate, the landlord must file an eviction action (formerly called an unlawful detainer action) in Douglas County District Court. The court will schedule a hearing, typically within 7–14 days of filing, and the tenant will be served with a summons.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear at the hearing. Tenants have the right to present defenses, including that the landlord failed to maintain habitable conditions, that the eviction is retaliatory under Minn. Stat. § 504B.441, or that proper notice was not given. Tenants who cannot afford an attorney should contact HOME Line or Legal Aid Twin Cities before the hearing.
Step 4 — Writ of Recovery: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it issues a writ of recovery of premises. A law enforcement officer (not the landlord) carries out the physical removal of the tenant, if necessary. Alexandria has no just cause eviction ordinance, so landlords are not required to state a reason for non-renewal of a lease, provided they follow all proper notice and court procedures.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are subject to change, and the application of the law depends on the specific facts of your situation. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and cannot represent you. If you have a legal dispute with your landlord or need guidance specific to your circumstances, please consult a qualified Minnesota attorney or contact a free legal aid organization such as HOME Line or Legal Aid Twin Cities. Always verify current statutes and local ordinances directly, as laws may have changed since this page was last updated in April 2026.
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