Last updated: April 2026
St. Louis Park renters are protected by Minnesota's statewide landlord-tenant statutes — covering habitability, 21-day security deposit returns, eviction procedures, and anti-retaliation rights — but the city has not enacted local rent control or additional tenant ordinances. Here is what you need to know.
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St. Louis Park is a first-ring suburb in Hennepin County, directly west of Minneapolis, with a population of approximately 50,000. Renters make up a significant portion of St. Louis Park households, and those tenants rely on Minnesota's statewide landlord-tenant framework for their legal protections. St. Louis Park has not adopted any local rent control, just-cause eviction standard, or other supplemental tenant ordinances.
Minnesota's Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B provides core protections applicable to all St. Louis Park renters: security deposit return requirements, habitability standards, anti-retaliation rights, and a mandatory court process for evictions. The city is served by Hennepin County District Court for eviction proceedings and Conciliation Court for small claims including security deposit disputes.
This page summarizes applicable laws as of April 2026. It is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Contact HOME Line or Legal Aid Twin Cities for guidance on specific situations.
St. Louis Park has no rent control. Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. § 471.9996) authorizes cities to enact rent stabilization — a tool exercised by Minneapolis and St. Paul with 3% annual caps — but St. Louis Park has not passed any such ordinance. Landlords in St. Louis Park may therefore raise rents by any amount upon lease renewal or, for month-to-month tenancies, with at least one full rental period of written advance notice (Minn. Stat. § 504B.135).
There is no local percentage limit, no requirement that landlords justify increases, and no local agency to accept rent increase complaints. Tenants who receive an increase they cannot afford may negotiate, decline to renew, or find alternative housing — but have no local legal remedy to challenge the amount of the increase itself.
St. Louis Park renters are covered by Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B. The following protections apply statewide:
Habitability (Minn. Stat. § 504B.161): Landlords must maintain rental units in compliance with applicable health and safety codes, provide functioning heat and plumbing, ensure structural integrity, and keep common areas safe and clean.
Rent Escrow Remedy (Minn. Stat. § 504B.385): Tenants may file a rent escrow action in Hennepin County District Court if a landlord fails to make required repairs after written notice. Courts may order repairs, reduce rent, or release escrowed funds to tenants.
Security Deposit (Minn. Stat. § 504B.178): Deposits must be returned with accrued interest within 21 days of move-out, with a written itemized statement of any deductions. Bad-faith withholding may result in liability for up to $500 plus double the wrongfully withheld amount.
Notice Requirements (Minn. Stat. § 504B.135): At least one full rental period of written notice is required to terminate a month-to-month tenancy.
Anti-Retaliation (Minn. Stat. § 504B.441): Landlords may not retaliate against tenants for reporting violations, contacting agencies, or exercising legal rights. Retaliation is a recognized defense in eviction proceedings.
Lockout Prohibition (Minn. Stat. § 504B.225): Self-help eviction — including lockouts, utility shutoffs, and removal of tenant property — is prohibited. Tenants may seek emergency court relief and damages.
Security deposit rules in St. Louis Park are governed by Minn. Stat. § 504B.178. Minnesota imposes no cap on the deposit amount; landlords may charge whatever the lease specifies.
Interest: Landlords must pay annual interest on deposits at the rate set by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Interest must be returned with the deposit.
Return Deadline: The landlord has 21 days after the tenant vacates (and the landlord has a forwarding address) to return the full deposit with interest, or to provide a written itemized statement of deductions and any remaining balance.
Allowable Deductions: Deductions are permitted only for unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Penalties: Bad-faith withholding can result in the landlord owing up to $500 plus double the wrongfully withheld amount. Claims may be filed in Hennepin County Conciliation Court.
Evictions in St. Louis Park follow the Minnesota unlawful detainer process under Minn. Stat. § 504B.281 et seq. No tenant can be removed without a court order carried out by the Hennepin County Sheriff.
Step 1 — Notice: The landlord must provide written notice appropriate to the eviction reason: one full rental period for month-to-month terminations (Minn. Stat. § 504B.135); written demand for nonpayment; notice and cure period for lease violations.
Step 2 — Court Filing: If unresolved, the landlord files an eviction action in Hennepin County District Court. The tenant is served with a summons and complaint.
Step 3 — Hearing: Typically held within 7 to 14 days. Tenants may raise defenses including habitability, retaliation, and improper notice. Legal aid is available through HOME Line and Legal Aid Twin Cities.
Step 4 — Writ of Recovery: A court judgment for the landlord results in a Writ of Recovery executed only by the Hennepin County Sheriff.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal (Minn. Stat. § 504B.225): Landlords who attempt lockouts or utility shutoffs face civil liability. Tenants may seek emergency restoration and damages.
No. St. Louis Park has not enacted any rent stabilization ordinance. Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. § 471.9996) allows cities to adopt rent control, but St. Louis Park has not exercised that authority. Landlords may raise rent by any amount with at least one full rental period of written advance notice for month-to-month tenancies.
There is no cap on rent increases in St. Louis Park. Without a local rent stabilization ordinance, landlords may raise rent by any amount upon lease renewal. For month-to-month tenancies, at least one full rental period of written notice is required before the increase takes effect (Minn. Stat. § 504B.135). Fixed-term leases cannot be raised mid-term unless the lease expressly permits it.
Under Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, your landlord must return your security deposit — with accrued interest — within 21 days of your move-out date, along with a written itemized statement of any deductions. Bad-faith withholding may result in a penalty of up to $500 plus double the wrongfully withheld amount. Provide your forwarding address in writing when you move out.
For a month-to-month tenancy, your landlord must give at least one full rental period of written notice to terminate under Minn. Stat. § 504B.135. For lease violations, written notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure are required. St. Louis Park has no just-cause eviction ordinance, so landlords may non-renew without a stated reason — but all evictions must proceed through Hennepin County District Court.
No. Self-help eviction is prohibited under Minn. Stat. § 504B.225. Your landlord cannot change locks, cut off heat, water, or electricity, or remove your belongings to force you out without a court order. If this occurs, seek an emergency court order and contact HOME Line or Legal Aid Twin Cities immediately. You may be entitled to damages.
Landlords must maintain habitable conditions under Minn. Stat. § 504B.161. If your landlord fails to make required repairs after receiving written notice, you may file a rent escrow action in Hennepin County District Court under Minn. Stat. § 504B.385. A judge can order repairs, reduce rent, or release escrowed funds. You can also report violations to St. Louis Park's inspections department or call HOME Line for free advice.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change; this content reflects the law as of April 2026. If you are facing a housing dispute in St. Louis Park, consult a licensed Minnesota attorney or contact HOME Line or Legal Aid Twin Cities. RentCheckMe is not a law firm.
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