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Ramsey is a growing suburban city in Anoka County, located in the northern Twin Cities metropolitan area. With a population of approximately 27,000 residents and a significant share of renters in single-family homes, townhomes, and apartment communities, understanding tenant rights is increasingly important for Ramsey households. Minnesota state law — primarily Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B — is the primary framework governing the landlord-tenant relationship for renters in Ramsey.
Unlike Minneapolis and St. Paul, which have enacted local rent stabilization ordinances, Ramsey has no local ordinances that add to or modify state tenant protections. That means everything from security deposit rules to eviction procedures is governed by state statute. Ramsey renters most commonly search for information about deposit returns, what to do when a landlord won't make repairs, and how much notice they must receive before being asked to leave.
This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary — consult an attorney or contact a free legal aid organization if you have a specific legal question.
Ramsey has no rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. Minnesota law does permit cities to enact rent stabilization under Minn. Stat. § 471.9996, and both Minneapolis and St. Paul have done so with 3% annual increase caps. However, Ramsey has not passed any such ordinance, and there is no indication one is pending.
In practical terms, this means a landlord in Ramsey can raise your rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or upon proper written notice for a month-to-month tenancy. There is no cap on how much rents can increase, and no requirement that a landlord justify a rent increase. Your only protection is the right to receive adequate written notice and to choose not to renew if the new rent is unacceptable. Renters concerned about rent increases should review lease renewal terms carefully and consult HOME Line's free tenant hotline for guidance.
Minnesota's Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B provides several important protections for Ramsey renters:
Habitability (Minn. Stat. § 504B.161): Landlords in Ramsey are legally required to keep rental units in compliance with applicable health and safety codes and to maintain them in a condition fit for human habitation. This includes functioning heat, plumbing, electrical systems, and structural integrity. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after notice, tenants may pursue a rent escrow action in district court under Minn. Stat. § 504B.385, allowing a judge to order repairs and potentially reduce rent.
Security Deposit Rules (Minn. Stat. § 504B.178): Landlords must return your security deposit — with interest — within 21 days of the tenancy ending, along with a written itemized statement of any deductions. If a landlord withholds the deposit in bad faith, they may owe you up to $500 plus double the wrongfully withheld amount as damages. There is no statutory cap on the deposit amount a landlord may charge in Minnesota.
Notice to Terminate (Minn. Stat. § 504B.135): To end a month-to-month tenancy, either the landlord or tenant must give written notice of at least one full rental period in advance. For example, if rent is due on the first of the month, notice given on March 5 would be effective to terminate the tenancy at the end of April at the earliest.
Anti-Retaliation (Minn. Stat. § 504B.441): A landlord cannot retaliate against you for reporting housing code violations, complaining to a government agency, organizing with other tenants, or exercising any legal right as a tenant. Retaliation may include raising rent, reducing services, or filing an eviction. If a landlord takes adverse action within 90 days of protected activity, there is a rebuttable presumption of retaliation under Minnesota law.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Minn. Stat. § 504B.225): A landlord is strictly prohibited from removing a tenant through self-help methods — including changing locks, removing doors or windows, or shutting off essential utilities like heat, water, or electricity — to force a tenant out. Any such conduct is illegal in Minnesota regardless of whether the tenant owes rent. Landlords must use the court eviction process to remove a tenant.
Minnesota does not set a maximum cap on security deposit amounts, so Ramsey landlords may charge any amount they and a tenant agree to. However, strict rules govern how deposits must be handled after move-out.
Return Deadline: Under Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, your landlord must return your security deposit — along with accrued interest — within 21 days after your tenancy ends and you have vacated the unit. The landlord must also provide a written, itemized statement explaining any deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear.
Interest on Deposits: Minnesota requires landlords to pay interest on security deposits held for a year or more. The interest rate is set annually by the state.
Penalties for Bad-Faith Withholding: If your landlord withholds your deposit in bad faith — meaning without a legitimate reason or without providing the required itemized statement — you may be entitled to recover up to $500 plus double the amount wrongfully withheld, in addition to the deposit itself. You can bring this claim in Conciliation Court (small claims court) in Anoka County without an attorney.
Practical Tips: Document the condition of your unit with photos or video at move-in and move-out. Provide your landlord with a forwarding address in writing, as the 21-day clock starts when the tenancy ends and the landlord has your forwarding address.
Ramsey landlords must follow Minnesota's court-supervised eviction process under Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B. There is no shortcut — self-help eviction is illegal.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing for eviction, a landlord must typically provide written notice. For nonpayment of rent, a landlord may file immediately after rent is past due, but notice is strongly recommended and sometimes required by lease terms. For lease violations other than nonpayment, the landlord must give the tenant a reasonable opportunity to cure. To terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause, the landlord must give at least one full rental period of written notice (Minn. Stat. § 504B.135).
Step 2 — Filing in District Court: If the tenant does not leave voluntarily, the landlord files an eviction (unlawful detainer) action in the Anoka County District Court. The tenant is served with a summons and complaint and is given a court date, typically within 7 to 14 days of filing.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. Tenants have the right to present a defense, including evidence of habitability issues, retaliation, or improper notice. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a Writ of Recovery is issued.
Step 4 — Writ of Recovery: If the tenant has not vacated, the Anoka County Sheriff enforces the Writ of Recovery and removes the tenant from the property. Only the Sheriff may physically remove a tenant — a landlord may not do so independently.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal (Minn. Stat. § 504B.225): A landlord who changes locks, removes belongings, shuts off utilities, or otherwise attempts to force a tenant out without a court order is violating Minnesota law. Tenants subjected to an illegal lockout may seek immediate relief in district court and may be entitled to damages.
Just Cause: Ramsey has no just cause eviction ordinance. A landlord may decline to renew a lease at the end of its term without providing a reason, as long as proper notice is given and the court process is followed if the tenant does not vacate.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws in Minnesota and the City of Ramsey may change, and individual circumstances vary significantly. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If you have a specific legal problem or question, you should consult a licensed attorney or contact a free legal aid organization such as HOME Line or Legal Aid Twin Cities. RentCheckMe makes reasonable efforts to keep this information current but does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness as of any particular date.
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