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Faribault is a city of approximately 24,000 residents in Rice County, southeastern Minnesota, roughly 50 miles south of the Twin Cities metro area. Renters make up a significant share of Faribault's housing market, and many are working-class families, newcomers to the state, and individuals who rely on clear knowledge of their legal rights to navigate disputes with landlords.
All Faribault renters are covered by Minnesota's comprehensive statewide landlord-tenant law found in Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B. This law governs security deposits, habitability standards, eviction procedures, anti-retaliation protections, and the prohibition on self-help evictions. Faribault has not enacted any local rent stabilization or additional tenant protection ordinances beyond what state law provides.
This page summarizes the tenant rights that apply in Faribault based on Minnesota law as of April 2026. This information is provided for general educational purposes and is not legal advice. If you are facing an eviction, a dispute over your security deposit, or habitability problems, contact a qualified attorney or a free legal aid organization listed in the resources section below.
Faribault does not have rent control or rent stabilization. Minnesota law grants cities the authority to enact rent stabilization ordinances under Minn. Stat. § 471.9996, and two cities in the state — Minneapolis and St. Paul — have exercised that authority, each capping annual rent increases at 3%. However, Faribault has not passed any such ordinance.
In practical terms, this means Faribault landlords may raise rent by any amount, at any frequency, as long as they provide the legally required advance written notice — typically one full rental period for month-to-month tenants (Minn. Stat. § 504B.135). For fixed-term lease tenants, rent cannot be increased during the lease term unless the lease explicitly allows it; increases take effect only upon renewal or signing of a new lease.
Renters in Faribault should document any rent increase notice in writing and compare it against their lease terms. While there is no cap on increases, landlords cannot raise rent in retaliation for a tenant exercising legal rights, such as requesting repairs or contacting housing inspectors (Minn. Stat. § 504B.441).
Minnesota's Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B provides a broad set of tenant protections that apply in full to Faribault renters. The key protections are summarized below.
Habitability (Minn. Stat. § 504B.161): Landlords must keep rental units in compliance with applicable housing codes, maintain all systems in working order (heat, plumbing, electricity), and ensure the property is free from conditions that threaten the health or safety of occupants. A landlord's duty to maintain habitable conditions cannot be waived by lease language.
Rent Escrow Remedy (Minn. Stat. § 504B.385): If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after proper notice, a tenant may petition the court to deposit rent into escrow. The court may order rent withheld from the landlord until repairs are completed, authorize the tenant to make repairs and deduct costs from rent, or reduce rent to reflect the diminished value of the unit.
Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month Tenancy (Minn. Stat. § 504B.135): Either a landlord or tenant wishing to end a month-to-month tenancy must provide written notice of at least one full rental period in advance. For tenants who pay rent monthly, this means notice given on or before the first day of one month terminates the tenancy at the end of the following month.
Anti-Retaliation (Minn. Stat. § 504B.441): Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who report code violations, contact a government agency, join a tenant organization, or exercise any legal right. Prohibited retaliatory actions include eviction, rent increases, reduced services, and harassment. A tenant facing retaliation may raise it as a defense in an eviction proceeding.
Lockout and Self-Help Eviction Prohibition (Minn. Stat. § 504B.225): A landlord may not remove a tenant by force, lock them out, remove doors or windows, or shut off utilities to compel vacating. Any such conduct is a violation of Minnesota law, and a tenant may seek immediate court relief and damages.
Domestic Abuse Protections (Minn. Stat. § 504B.206): Tenants who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking may terminate a lease early without penalty by providing written notice and documentation. Landlords must also change the locks at a victim's request.
Minnesota's security deposit law, Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, sets out specific rules that all Faribault landlords must follow regarding the collection, holding, and return of security deposits.
No Statutory Cap: Minnesota law does not impose a maximum limit on the amount a landlord may charge for a security deposit. However, any amount collected must be handled according to the rules below.
Interest: Landlords are required to pay simple interest on security deposits held for at least one year. The interest rate is set by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce each year.
Return Deadline: After a tenant moves out, the landlord has 21 calendar days to return the security deposit (plus accrued interest) or provide a written, itemized statement explaining any deductions. The statement must be mailed to the tenant's last known address.
Allowable Deductions: Landlords may only deduct for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and other costs specifically authorized by the lease. Deductions for ordinary wear and tear — such as minor scuffs, faded paint, or carpet worn from regular use — are not permitted.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide an itemized statement within 21 days, or if a court finds the landlord withheld the deposit in bad faith, the tenant is entitled to recover the full deposit amount plus a penalty of up to $500, plus double damages (Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 7). Tenants may bring a claim in Rice County Conciliation Court (small claims court) for amounts within the jurisdictional limit.
Move-Out Documentation: Faribault tenants should document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with dated photographs or video, obtain written receipts for any deposit paid, and keep a record of the forwarding address provided to the landlord to start the 21-day clock.
In Faribault, a landlord must follow Minnesota's formal eviction process — known as an Eviction Action or Unlawful Detainer — to remove a tenant. Self-help evictions are strictly prohibited under Minn. Stat. § 504B.225.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, a landlord must typically serve the tenant with written notice. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing the Eviction Action: The landlord files an eviction complaint in Rice County District Court. A summons is served on the tenant, and a hearing date is scheduled — typically within 7 to 14 days of filing (Minn. Stat. § 504B.321).
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. Tenants have the right to present defenses, including that rent was paid, the eviction is retaliatory (Minn. Stat. § 504B.441), the unit is uninhabitable, or the landlord failed to follow proper procedure. Tenants should bring all documentation, including lease agreements, rent receipts, and repair request records.
Step 4 — Writ of Recovery: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it issues a Writ of Recovery of Premises. The tenant typically has a short period after the writ is issued to vacate before a Rice County Sheriff enforces removal.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: Under Minn. Stat. § 504B.225, it is unlawful for a landlord to lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or take any other action to force a tenant to leave without a court order. Tenants subjected to an illegal lockout or utility shutoff may seek an immediate court order restoring access and may be entitled to damages.
The information on this page is provided for general educational 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. For advice about your individual circumstances, 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 accuracy of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance on it. Always verify current laws and local ordinances directly with official sources or qualified legal counsel.
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