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New Ulm is a small city of approximately 13,000 residents in Brown County, situated along the Minnesota River in southern Minnesota. Like many smaller Minnesota cities, a significant share of residents rent their homes, and renters here rely primarily on the protections afforded by Minnesota state law rather than any local ordinance. The most common questions New Ulm renters ask involve security deposit returns, landlord repair obligations, and what happens when a landlord wants them to leave.
Minnesota's core landlord-tenant statute, Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B, governs the rental relationship for New Ulm tenants. This law covers everything from the landlord's duty to maintain habitable conditions, to strict deadlines for returning security deposits, to the formal court process required before any eviction can occur. New Ulm has not enacted any local tenant protections beyond what state law provides, so understanding Chapter 504B is essential for every renter in the city.
This page summarizes the tenant rights that apply in New Ulm as of April 2026. It is intended as an informational resource only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change and individual circumstances vary; renters facing a specific dispute should consult an attorney or contact a free legal aid organization for guidance tailored to their situation.
New Ulm has no rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. Minnesota law, under Minn. Stat. § 471.9996, grants cities the authority to enact rent stabilization measures, and two Minnesota cities — Minneapolis and St. Paul — have each adopted a 3% annual cap on rent increases. However, New Ulm has not exercised that authority, and no local ordinance limits how much a landlord may raise rent in New Ulm.
In practice, this means a landlord in New Ulm may raise the rent by any amount at the start of a new lease term or upon proper notice before renewal of a month-to-month tenancy. For month-to-month renters, the landlord must provide at least one full rental period of written notice before a rent increase takes effect (Minn. Stat. § 504B.135). There is no cap on the size of that increase. Fixed-term lease renters are protected from mid-lease increases by the terms of their lease contract, but the landlord may set any new rent amount upon renewal.
Renters who believe a rent increase is being used as retaliation for a complaint about housing conditions should review the anti-retaliation protections under Minn. Stat. § 504B.441, described in the State Protections section below.
Minnesota's Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B provides the primary legal framework protecting New Ulm 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 adequate heat, plumbing, electrical systems, and structural integrity. Tenants must notify the landlord of any deficiency in writing; once notified, the landlord is required to make repairs within a reasonable time. Failure to do so entitles tenants to seek a rent escrow remedy through the courts (Minn. Stat. § 504B.385), where rent is deposited with the court until repairs are completed, or the court may order a rent reduction, authorize the tenant to make repairs and deduct costs, or in serious cases terminate the tenancy.
Security Deposit (Minn. Stat. § 504B.178): Landlords must return the security deposit — along with a written, itemized statement of any deductions — within 21 days after the tenant vacates and returns the keys. If the landlord willfully fails to return the deposit or makes deductions in bad faith, the tenant may recover up to $500 plus double the amount wrongfully withheld. See the Security Deposit section below for full details.
Notice to Terminate (Minn. Stat. § 504B.135): Either party may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by giving the other party written notice at least one full rental period before the termination date. For a tenant who pays rent monthly, that means notice must be given at least one full calendar month in advance.
Anti-Retaliation (Minn. Stat. § 504B.441): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting code violations or unsafe conditions to a government authority, for requesting repairs, for organizing with other tenants, or for exercising any legal right as a tenant. Prohibited retaliatory acts include raising rent, reducing services, or commencing eviction proceedings within 90 days of the tenant's protected activity. If a landlord takes adverse action within that window, retaliation is presumed and the burden shifts to the landlord to demonstrate a lawful reason.
Lockout Prohibition (Minn. Stat. § 504B.225): Self-help eviction is illegal in Minnesota. A landlord may not remove a tenant by changing the locks, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or using any other means to force a tenant out without going through the formal court eviction process. A tenant who is illegally locked out may seek immediate relief in district court, including recovery of possession and damages.
Minnesota law under Minn. Stat. § 504B.178 governs security deposits for New Ulm rentals. There is no statutory cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit in Minnesota, meaning the landlord may set the deposit amount by agreement in the lease.
Return Deadline: The landlord must return the security deposit — or whatever portion is not lawfully withheld — along with a written, itemized statement explaining any deductions, within 21 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant has vacated and returned possession of the unit. If the tenant provides a forwarding address, the statement and any refund must be mailed to that address within the 21-day period.
Permissible Deductions: A landlord may deduct from the deposit only for unpaid rent, damage to the unit beyond ordinary wear and tear, and other amounts the tenant owes under the lease. Routine cleaning or maintenance that constitutes normal wear and tear cannot be charged to the tenant.
Penalty for Bad-Faith Withholding: If a landlord willfully fails to return the deposit within the 21-day deadline, or makes deductions in bad faith, the tenant may sue and recover up to $500 plus double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus court costs (Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 7). To protect their rights, tenants should document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with dated photographs and written notes, and should provide a forwarding address in writing when vacating.
In New Ulm, a landlord must follow Minnesota's formal court eviction process — called an eviction action (formerly known as an unlawful detainer action) — under Minn. Stat. §§ 504B.281–504B.371. There is no just cause eviction requirement in New Ulm; landlords may choose not to renew a month-to-month tenancy for any lawful reason, provided proper notice is given.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must generally provide the tenant with written notice. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing the Eviction Action: If the tenant does not vacate after proper notice, the landlord files an eviction complaint in Brown County District Court. The court will schedule a hearing, typically within 7 to 14 days of filing (Minn. Stat. § 504B.321).
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both the landlord and tenant have the right to appear and present their case. Tenants should attend; failing to appear typically results in a default judgment for the landlord. Tenants may raise defenses such as the landlord's failure to maintain habitable conditions or retaliation.
Step 4 — Writ of Recovery: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a Writ of Recovery of Premises is issued. The tenant is then given a brief period (typically 24 hours after the writ is served by the sheriff) to vacate before physical removal is enforced by the Brown County Sheriff.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A landlord in New Ulm may never remove a tenant by changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities, or using threats or force outside of the court process. Such conduct violates Minn. Stat. § 504B.225, and a tenant subjected to a self-help eviction may seek immediate court relief and damages.
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 individual circumstances vary significantly. Renters in New Ulm with specific legal questions or disputes 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 warranties about the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance on it. Always verify current law with a qualified professional before making legal decisions.
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