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Stillwater is a historic river city in Washington County, situated along the St. Croix River about 20 miles east of St. Paul. Known for its tourism, bed-and-breakfasts, and tight housing market, Stillwater has a significant share of renters who rely on Minnesota's statewide tenant protections codified in Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B. Renters here most commonly ask about security deposit returns, what notice a landlord must give before ending a lease, and what rights they have when a landlord fails to make repairs.
Unlike Minneapolis and St. Paul, Stillwater has not enacted any local rent stabilization or tenant protection ordinances beyond state law. That means all tenant rights in Stillwater flow directly from Minnesota statutes, which do provide meaningful protections around habitability, anti-retaliation, lockout prohibitions, and the eviction process. Understanding these state-level rights is essential for every Stillwater renter.
This page is intended as an informational overview only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary — if you have a specific legal problem, consult a licensed Minnesota attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
Stillwater has no rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. Minnesota law was amended in 2023 to allow cities and counties to enact rent stabilization policies at the local level under Minn. Stat. § 471.9996. Minneapolis and St. Paul have each enacted 3% annual rent increase caps for most residential units, but Stillwater has taken no such action.
In practical terms, this means a landlord in Stillwater can raise your rent by any amount, with no statutory cap, as long as proper advance notice is given before a new lease term begins or before the rent increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, at least one full rental period of written notice is required before a rent change goes into effect (Minn. Stat. § 504B.135). For fixed-term leases, the rent is set by the lease agreement and cannot be changed mid-term without your written consent.
There is currently no ballot initiative or pending Stillwater City Council action known to be in progress that would change this status. Renters who want to advocate for local rent stabilization can contact the Stillwater City Council directly.
Minnesota's Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B provides a comprehensive set of tenant protections that apply to every residential rental in Stillwater.
Habitability (Minn. Stat. § 504B.161): Landlords must keep rental units in compliance with applicable health and safety codes, maintain structurally sound premises, supply adequate heat (at least 68°F from October 1 through April 30), provide working plumbing and electrical systems, and ensure the unit is free from conditions that endanger health or safety. Tenants cannot waive these obligations in a lease.
Tenant Repair Remedies — Rent Escrow (Minn. Stat. § 504B.385): If a landlord fails to make required repairs after notice, a tenant may petition the court to deposit rent into escrow. The court can order repairs, reduce rent, or even terminate the tenancy if the landlord does not cure the violation.
Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month Tenancy (Minn. Stat. § 504B.135): Either party must give written notice of at least one full rental period before terminating a month-to-month lease. For most Stillwater renters who pay monthly, this means at least 30 days' written notice.
Anti-Retaliation (Minn. Stat. § 504B.441): A landlord may not evict, raise rent, reduce services, or otherwise retaliate against a tenant for reporting code violations, complaining to a government agency, organizing with other tenants, or exercising any legal right. If retaliation is found, a tenant may recover damages, attorney fees, and other relief.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Minn. Stat. § 504B.225): Landlords are strictly prohibited from removing a tenant by changing locks, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or using any self-help method to force a tenant out. Only a court-ordered writ of recovery enforced by the sheriff is a lawful means of removing a tenant.
Domestic Violence Protections (Minn. Stat. § 504B.206): Tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking may terminate a lease early with 14 days' written notice and appropriate documentation without penalty.
Minnesota's security deposit rules are governed by Minn. Stat. § 504B.178 and provide important protections for Stillwater renters.
No statutory cap: Minnesota law does not limit the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. Stillwater has no local ordinance imposing a cap either. The deposit amount is set by negotiation in the lease.
Interest on deposits: Landlords who hold a security deposit of any amount must pay annual interest on the deposit at a rate set by the Commissioner of Commerce (Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 2). The interest accrues from the date the deposit is received and must be returned with the deposit.
Return deadline — 21 days: After a tenant vacates, the landlord has 21 days to either return the full deposit plus accrued interest, or provide the tenant with a written, itemized statement explaining any deductions and return the remaining balance. The deadline runs from the later of the date the tenant vacates or the date the landlord receives the tenant's forwarding address.
Penalties for bad-faith withholding: If a landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the security deposit in bad faith, the tenant is entitled to recover up to $500 plus double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus attorney fees and court costs (Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 7). Courts have found bad faith where landlords fabricate deductions, fail to provide an itemized statement, or simply ignore the 21-day deadline without justification.
Normal wear and tear: Landlords may not deduct for normal wear and tear — only for damages beyond ordinary use. Tenants should document the condition of the unit with photos at both move-in and move-out.
Evictions in Stillwater follow the Minnesota eviction (formerly called unlawful detainer) process under Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B, specifically §§ 504B.281–504B.371. Landlords must follow every required step; any shortcut is unlawful.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing an eviction lawsuit, the landlord must typically serve the tenant with a written notice. The required notice period depends on the reason:
Step 2 — Filing in District Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord files an eviction complaint in Washington County District Court. The court schedules a hearing, typically within 7–14 days of filing.
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 habitability, that the eviction is retaliatory (Minn. Stat. § 504B.441), or that required notice was not given. If the landlord wins, the court issues a Writ of Recovery.
Step 4 — Writ of Recovery and Sheriff Enforcement: Only after a Writ of Recovery is issued may the landlord have the sheriff remove the tenant. The sheriff provides at least 24 hours' notice before executing the writ.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal (Minn. Stat. § 504B.225): A landlord who changes locks, removes the tenant's belongings, shuts off utilities, or otherwise attempts to force a tenant out without a court order commits an illegal self-help eviction. Tenants subjected to such conduct may seek emergency relief in court and may recover damages, including punitive damages.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Stillwater has no just-cause eviction ordinance. At the end of a fixed-term lease, a landlord may choose not to renew without providing a reason, as long as proper notice is given and the landlord complies with all anti-retaliation provisions.
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 Stillwater may change, and individual circumstances vary widely. Renters with specific legal questions or problems should consult a licensed Minnesota attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. RentCheckMe makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance on it.
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