Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Cambridge is the county seat of Isanti County, a growing community roughly 45 miles north of the Twin Cities metro. While smaller than Minnesota's major urban centers, Cambridge has seen increased rental demand as renters seek affordable housing outside the metro area. Many Cambridge tenants search for information about security deposit returns, repair obligations, and what their landlord can legally do — or cannot do — when they want a tenant out.
All Cambridge renters are protected by Minnesota's statewide landlord-tenant law, codified primarily at Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B. This law sets baseline rules for security deposits, habitability, eviction procedures, notice requirements, and protections against retaliation. Cambridge has not enacted any local rental housing ordinances beyond what state law requires, so state statutes are the primary source of tenant rights here.
This page is an informational summary of the laws that apply to Cambridge renters as of April 2026. It is not legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary — if you face an eviction, habitability dispute, or other serious landlord-tenant issue, consult a licensed Minnesota attorney or a free legal aid organization.
Cambridge has no rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. There is no cap on how much a landlord may raise rent between lease terms or upon renewal in Cambridge. Landlords are free to set rent at whatever the market will bear, provided they give proper notice before implementing an increase.
Minnesota law does permit cities to enact rent stabilization under Minn. Stat. § 471.9996, and both Minneapolis and St. Paul have adopted 3% annual rent increase caps under that authority. However, Cambridge has not exercised this authority, and no such local ordinance is currently in effect in Isanti County.
In practice, this means Cambridge renters have no legal basis to challenge a rent increase solely on the grounds that it is too high. The only limits on rent increases are: (1) increases cannot take effect mid-lease without the tenant's written agreement; (2) month-to-month tenants must receive at least one full rental period of written notice before an increase takes effect; and (3) a rent increase cannot be used as retaliation for a tenant exercising legal rights, which is prohibited under Minn. Stat. § 504B.441.
Minnesota's landlord-tenant law under Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B provides Cambridge renters with a robust set of baseline protections. Key protections include:
Habitability (Minn. Stat. § 504B.161): Landlords must keep rental units in compliance with applicable health and safety codes and must maintain the premises in a condition fit for human habitation. This includes keeping heating systems, plumbing, and structural elements in working order. If a landlord fails to make required repairs, tenants may pursue rent escrow remedies under Minn. Stat. § 504B.385, allowing a court to order repairs and withhold rent from the landlord until they comply.
Security Deposit (Minn. Stat. § 504B.178): Landlords must return the security deposit — with interest — within 21 days after the tenancy ends, along with a written itemized statement of any deductions. If a landlord withholds the deposit in bad faith, the tenant may recover up to $500 plus double the amount wrongfully withheld. See the dedicated security deposit section below for full details.
Notice to Terminate (Minn. Stat. § 504B.135): Either party ending a month-to-month tenancy must give written notice of at least one full rental period in advance. For a tenancy that pays rent monthly, that means written notice given before the start of the last rental period.
Anti-Retaliation (Minn. Stat. § 504B.441): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting code violations to a government authority, complaining about conditions to the landlord, or organizing with other tenants. Retaliatory actions include eviction, rent increases, and reduction of services. A tenant who proves retaliation may recover damages and attorney fees.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Minn. Stat. § 504B.225): Self-help eviction is illegal in Minnesota. A landlord cannot remove a tenant by changing locks, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities in order to force the tenant out. Landlords must go through the formal court eviction process. A tenant subjected to a lockout or utility shutoff may seek an emergency court order restoring access.
Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment (Minn. Stat. § 504B.211): Landlords must provide reasonable notice — generally 24 hours — before entering a rental unit, except in genuine emergencies. Tenants have the right to peaceful enjoyment of their home without undue interference from the landlord.
Minnesota law under Minn. Stat. § 504B.178 governs security deposits for all Cambridge rentals. Key rules include:
No statutory cap: Minnesota does not limit the dollar amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. In practice, Cambridge landlords typically charge one to two months' rent.
Interest requirement: Landlords must pay interest on security deposits held for a year or more. The interest rate is set annually by the Commissioner of Commerce. For most small landlords, this is a modest amount, but failure to pay it can affect the landlord's ability to keep the deposit.
Return deadline — 21 days: After the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates, the landlord has 21 calendar days to either return the full deposit (with accrued interest) or mail the tenant a written itemized statement explaining each deduction, along with any remaining balance. The 21-day clock typically starts when the tenant surrenders possession and provides a forwarding address.
Allowable deductions: A landlord may deduct for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and other costs specified in the lease. Deductions for ordinary wear and tear — minor scuffs, faded paint, carpet wear from normal use — are not permitted.
Penalty for bad-faith withholding: If a court finds the landlord withheld all or part of the security deposit in bad faith, the tenant is entitled to a penalty of up to $500 plus double the amount wrongfully withheld, in addition to the return of the deposit itself. The tenant may also recover reasonable attorney fees under Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 7.
What tenants should do: Document the unit's condition with dated photos at move-in and move-out, provide a written forwarding address to the landlord at move-out, and keep copies of all communications. If the deposit is not returned or accounted for within 21 days, the tenant can file a small claims court action in Isanti County District Court.
Evictions in Cambridge are governed by Minnesota's Eviction (Unlawful Detainer) statutes at Minn. Stat. §§ 504B.281–504B.371. A landlord must follow this court process to remove a tenant — there are no shortcuts.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing an eviction, the landlord must give the tenant proper written notice. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in District Court: If the tenant does not vacate after proper notice, the landlord files an eviction complaint (Unlawful Detainer) in Isanti County District Court. The tenant is served with a summons requiring them to appear at a hearing, typically scheduled within 7–14 days of filing (Minn. Stat. § 504B.321).
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both landlord and tenant appear before a judge. The tenant has the right to present a defense — for example, that rent was paid, that the notice was defective, or that the eviction is retaliatory (Minn. Stat. § 504B.441). If the landlord prevails, the court issues a Writ of Recovery.
Step 4 — Writ of Recovery and Removal: After judgment, the landlord obtains a Writ of Recovery of Premises. A court officer (sheriff or deputy) serves the writ and supervises the tenant's removal. Only a law enforcement officer acting under a court writ may physically remove a tenant.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal (Minn. Stat. § 504B.225): A landlord who changes the locks, removes the tenant's belongings, shuts off utilities, or otherwise attempts to force a tenant out without a court order is committing an illegal self-help eviction. The tenant may seek an emergency court order restoring possession and may sue for damages.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Cambridge and Isanti County have no just-cause eviction ordinance. Landlords may decline to renew a lease at the end of its term for any reason, provided proper notice is given. However, an eviction — even after a lease expires — cannot be motivated by retaliation for a tenant's exercise of legal rights (Minn. Stat. § 504B.441).
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. Cambridge renters facing eviction, habitability issues, security deposit disputes, or other landlord-tenant problems should consult a licensed Minnesota attorney or contact a free legal aid organization such as HOME Line or Legal Aid Twin Cities. RentCheckMe makes no representations about the completeness or current accuracy of the information presented here.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.