Minneapolis is Minnesota's largest city, home to roughly 430,000 residents, and renters make up more than half of all households. The city's tight rental market — driven by a growing population and limited housing stock — has made affordability a persistent concern. In November 2021, Minneapolis voters approved a charter amendment authorizing the City Council to enact rent stabilization, but as of 2026 the Council has not adopted an ordinance, so no local rent cap is in effect. Tenants here rely primarily on Minnesota's statewide protections.
At the state level, Minnesota's landlord-tenant statutes are codified primarily in Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B and provide renters with meaningful rights around security deposits, habitability, retaliation, and the eviction process.
This page summarizes the laws that apply to Minneapolis renters as of April 2026. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a specific legal problem, consult a licensed Minnesota attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
Minneapolis does not have an enacted rent stabilization or rent control ordinance. In November 2021, Minneapolis voters approved a charter amendment authorizing the City Council to regulate rents, consistent with Minn. Stat. § 471.9996, which permits local rent-control measures only when approved at a general election. The Council established a Rent Stabilization Work Group to study the issue, but it has not enacted an ordinance, and the city has stated that any future ordinance would still need to go to a ballot for voter approval.
Because no ordinance is in effect, there is no local cap on rent increases in Minneapolis. A landlord may raise the rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or, for a month-to-month tenancy, with proper written notice. (St. Paul is the only Minnesota city with an enacted rent stabilization ordinance, which caps increases at 3% per 12-month period and applies only within St. Paul.) Minneapolis tenants remain protected by Minnesota's statewide requirements governing notice, habitability, and the eviction process.
Minnesota's core landlord-tenant law is found in Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B. The following protections apply to virtually all renters in Minneapolis.
Habitability (Minn. Stat. § 504B.161): Landlords are legally required to keep rental units in compliance with applicable health and safety codes, maintain structural integrity, provide functioning heat (at least 68°F between October 1 and April 30 under Minneapolis City Ordinance), ensure adequate weatherproofing, and keep common areas clean and safe. A landlord's failure to maintain habitable conditions gives tenants the right to pursue remedies including rent escrow.
Tenant's Remedies Act — Rent Escrow (Minn. Stat. § 504B.385): If a landlord fails to make required repairs after receiving written notice, Minneapolis renters may file a rent escrow action in Hennepin County District Court. The court can order repairs, reduce rent, or release escrowed funds to tenants to cover repair costs.
Security Deposit Rules (Minn. Stat. § 504B.178): Landlords must return the security deposit — with interest — within 21 days of the tenant vacating, along with a written itemized statement of any deductions. Failure to comply in bad faith can result in the landlord owing the tenant up to $500 plus double the wrongfully withheld amount in damages.
Notice Requirements (Minn. Stat. § 504B.135): To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, either party must give at least one full rental period of advance written notice. For a tenant paying rent monthly, this means at least one full calendar month of notice.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (Minn. Stat. § 504B.441): Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who report housing code violations, contact government agencies, organize with other tenants, or exercise any other legal right. Retaliation can include eviction, rent increases, reduced services, or harassment. Tenants who experience retaliation have a legal defense and may pursue damages.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Minn. Stat. § 504B.225): A landlord may not remove a tenant's personal property, change the locks, or interrupt utility service as a means of forcing a tenant to leave. Self-help eviction is illegal in Minnesota. Tenants subjected to an unlawful lockout or utility shutoff may seek an emergency court order to be restored to their unit and may recover damages.
In addition to Minnesota state law, Minneapolis enforces a local housing maintenance code, but the city has not enacted a rent stabilization or just-cause eviction ordinance.
Rent stabilization (not enacted): Minneapolis voters approved a 2021 charter amendment authorizing the City Council to regulate rents, but no rent stabilization ordinance has been adopted, so no local rent cap applies. St. Paul is the only Minnesota city with an enacted rent stabilization ordinance.
Minneapolis Housing Maintenance Code: The city's housing maintenance code imposes detailed habitability standards, including minimum heating requirements (68°F from October 1 through April 30), pest control obligations, and standards for plumbing, electrical systems, and structural conditions. Tenants may report violations to the Minneapolis Department of Regulatory Services at 311 or online at minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/311.
Security deposit rules in Minneapolis are governed by Minn. Stat. § 504B.178. Minnesota does not impose a statutory cap on the amount a landlord may collect as a security deposit, so landlords may generally charge any amount agreed upon in the lease.
Interest on Deposits: Landlords who hold a security deposit must pay interest on it at a rate set annually by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Interest accrues from the date the deposit is received and must be returned along with the deposit itself.
Return Deadline: After a tenant vacates, the landlord has 21 days to either return the full deposit (plus accrued interest) or mail the tenant an itemized written statement explaining which amounts were deducted and why, along with any remaining balance. The 21-day clock generally begins when the tenant vacates and the landlord has received the tenant's forwarding address.
Allowable Deductions: Landlords may deduct amounts for unpaid rent, damage to the unit beyond normal wear and tear, and other charges specifically permitted by the lease. They may not deduct for ordinary wear and tear, pre-existing damage, or general cleaning that does not exceed ordinary use.
Penalties for Bad-Faith Withholding: Under Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 7, if a court finds that a landlord withheld all or part of a security deposit in bad faith, the landlord is liable to the tenant for up to $500 plus double the amount wrongfully withheld, in addition to the amount wrongfully withheld itself. Tenants may bring a claim in Hennepin County Conciliation Court (small claims court) for amounts within the court's jurisdictional limit.
Evictions in Minneapolis are governed by Minnesota's eviction statute, Minn. Stat. § 504B.281 et seq., commonly called an unlawful detainer action. The process requires landlords to follow specific legal steps and prohibits any form of self-help eviction.
Step 1 — Required Notice: Before filing in court, a landlord must usually provide written notice to the tenant. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If the tenant does not remedy the issue or vacate after proper notice, the landlord may file an eviction (unlawful detainer) action in Hennepin County District Court. The tenant is then served with a summons and complaint.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: A hearing is typically scheduled within 7 to 14 days of filing. Both parties may present evidence and testimony. Tenants have the right to appear and raise defenses, including habitability issues, retaliation, or improper notice.
Step 4 — Writ of Recovery: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it issues a Writ of Recovery of Premises. Only a Hennepin County Sheriff can physically remove a tenant from the property pursuant to the writ. Landlords cannot remove tenants themselves.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal (Minn. Stat. § 504B.225): It is unlawful for a landlord to lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or remove the tenant's personal property in order to force them to leave. A tenant subjected to a self-help eviction may seek an emergency court order for immediate restoration to the unit and may recover damages, including attorney's fees.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws and local ordinances change frequently; while we strive to keep this content current as of April 2026, we cannot guarantee that all information is complete or up to date. If you have a specific legal problem or question, please consult a licensed Minnesota attorney or contact a local legal aid organization such as HOME Line or Legal Aid Twin Cities. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and does not represent any user of this site.
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