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Hermantown is a suburban city in St. Louis County, situated just west of Duluth in northeastern Minnesota. The city has grown steadily as a bedroom community for Duluth-area workers, and a meaningful share of its residents rent their homes. Like all Minnesota renters, Hermantown tenants are governed by Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B, the state's comprehensive landlord-tenant statute, which sets the floor for tenant protections across the state.
Renters in Hermantown most commonly ask about security deposit returns, what to do when a landlord refuses repairs, and how eviction notices work. Because Hermantown has enacted no local tenant-rights ordinances, every protection available to you comes from state law — making it especially important to understand what Chapter 504B requires of your landlord.
This article is intended as general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change and individual situations vary; consult a licensed Minnesota attorney or a free legal aid organization for advice specific to your circumstances.
No Rent Control in Hermantown. Hermantown has not enacted a rent stabilization or rent control ordinance. Minnesota law grants cities the authority to adopt rent stabilization measures under Minn. Stat. § 471.9996, and two Minnesota cities — Minneapolis and St. Paul — have exercised that authority by capping annual rent increases at 3%. However, Hermantown has made no such legislative choice.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Hermantown may increase rent by any amount, at any time, as long as they provide the legally required advance notice before a lease renewal or rent change. For month-to-month tenants, that notice must cover at least one full rental period (Minn. Stat. § 504B.135). There is no cap on how large the increase can be and no requirement that a landlord justify the amount of any rent hike.
If rent control is important to you, monitor Hermantown City Council activity, as municipalities retain the legal authority to act under § 471.9996 at any time.
Minnesota's Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B provides Hermantown renters with a robust set of statewide 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 effective waterproofing, heating systems capable of maintaining at least 68°F when outdoor temperatures fall below 0°F, adequate plumbing and hot water, and freedom from pests. A tenant who notifies the landlord of needed repairs and receives no timely response may petition the court for rent escrow relief under Minn. Stat. § 504B.385, allowing rent to be deposited with the court until repairs are completed.
Security Deposit Rules (Minn. Stat. § 504B.178). See the dedicated Security Deposit section below for full details on caps, timelines, and penalties.
Notice to Terminate (Minn. Stat. § 504B.135). Either party wishing to end a month-to-month tenancy must provide written notice of at least one full rental period in advance. For a tenant who pays rent on the first of each month, notice given on or before April 1 would terminate the tenancy effective April 30.
Anti-Retaliation (Minn. Stat. § 504B.441). A landlord may not evict, raise rent, reduce services, or otherwise retaliate against a tenant for complaining to a government agency about housing conditions, joining a tenant organization, or exercising any legal right under Chapter 504B. A tenant facing retaliatory conduct may raise retaliation as a defense in an eviction action and may be entitled to damages.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Minn. Stat. § 504B.225). Self-help eviction is illegal in Minnesota. A landlord who changes locks, removes doors, shuts off utilities, or otherwise attempts to remove a tenant without a court order is liable for the tenant's actual damages plus a penalty of up to $500 per day for each day the conduct continues.
Disclosure of Landlord Identity (Minn. Stat. § 504B.181). The owner or authorized manager must disclose, in writing, the name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises and the person authorized to receive legal notices.
Minnesota's security deposit rules, found at Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, apply in full to Hermantown rentals.
No Statutory Cap. Minnesota law does not impose a maximum dollar limit on the security deposit a landlord may collect, though the deposit may not exceed an amount that is commercially reasonable relative to the monthly rent.
Interest. Landlords who hold a security deposit for at least one year must pay interest on the deposit. The interest rate is set annually by the Department of Commerce. Interest accrues from the date the deposit is received and must be returned along with the principal (§ 504B.178, subd. 2).
Return Deadline. After a tenancy ends, the landlord has 21 days to either return the full deposit (plus accrued interest) or provide the tenant with a written, itemized statement explaining the specific basis for any deductions and a check for any remaining balance. The 21-day clock begins when the tenancy terminates and the tenant has vacated the unit (§ 504B.178, subd. 3).
Penalties for Non-Compliance. If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemized statement within 21 days, the tenant may sue in conciliation (small claims) court. If the court finds the landlord acted in bad faith — for example, by fabricating deductions or simply ignoring the deadline — the landlord owes the tenant up to $500 plus double the amount wrongfully withheld (§ 504B.178, subd. 4). Even without a bad-faith finding, the landlord loses the right to retain any portion of the deposit if they miss the deadline without a valid written explanation.
Practical Tip. Document the condition of your unit with dated photos at move-in and move-out, and provide your forwarding address in writing so the landlord has no basis to claim the deposit could not be returned.
Evictions in Hermantown follow the statutory process set out in Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B. A landlord must use the court system; there is no legal shortcut.
Step 1 — Written Notice. Before filing in court, the landlord must typically serve a written notice on the tenant. The type and duration of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing an Eviction (Unlawful Detainer) Action. If the tenant does not vacate after proper notice, the landlord files an eviction action (called an "eviction action" or formerly "unlawful detainer") in St. Louis County District Court. The court then schedules a hearing, typically within 7–14 days of filing (§ 504B.321).
Step 3 — Court Hearing. Both parties appear before a judge. The tenant has the right to present defenses, including that the landlord failed to maintain habitable conditions, that the eviction is retaliatory (§ 504B.441), or that the landlord did not follow proper notice procedures.
Step 4 — Writ of Recovery. If the court rules for the landlord, a Writ of Recovery of Premises is issued. A sheriff or court officer — not the landlord — then enforces the writ and removes the tenant. The landlord may not take possession before the writ is enforced.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal. Under Minn. Stat. § 504B.225, a landlord who locks out a tenant, removes doors or windows, shuts off heat, electricity, or water, or takes any other self-help measure to force a tenant out without a court order is liable for actual damages plus up to $500 per day for every day the conduct continues. Tenants who experience an illegal lockout may seek emergency relief from the district court.
No Just-Cause Requirement. Hermantown has no just-cause eviction ordinance. At the end of a fixed-term lease, a landlord may decline to renew without stating a reason, provided proper notice is given. During a lease term, the landlord must have a lease-based or statutory reason to evict.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information presented here reflects laws in effect as of April 2026, but tenant laws can change through legislation, court decisions, or local ordinance. Hermantown renters with specific legal questions should consult a licensed Minnesota attorney or contact a free legal aid organization such as HOME Line or Legal Aid Twin Cities. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading this page.
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