Minnesota Attorney General's Office
1400 Bremer Tower
445 Minnesota Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 296-3353
(800) 657-3787
M - F 8 am - 5 pm
TTY:(651) 297-7206
TTY:(800) 366-4812
Notice:
The State telephone vendor is unfortunately experiencing temporary periods of technical problems that impact our phones. If you are not able to get through to our information line, you may also call (651) 296-6196.
Landlords and Tenants Rights and Responsibilities
The rights and duties of landlords and tenants in Minnesota are spelled out in federal law, state statutes, local ordinances, safety and housing codes, common law, contract law, and a number of court decisions. These responsibilities can vary from place to place around the state.
Certain rights and duties apply to landlords and tenants everywhere in Minnesota. This handbook attempts to explain those rights. This booklet should not be considered legal advice to use in resolving specific landlord-tenant problems or questions. It is a summary of the laws that govern the landlord-tenant relationship. References to statutes and case law examples appear at the back of the brochure. When references are provided, they are signaled or noted by a number at the end of the sentence. If a cite does not appear, the information is likely derived from common law or case law.
Tenants in federal housing and other forms of subsidized housing have additional rights under federal law not covered in this handbook. Those tenants should check their leases for information.
Minn. Statute § 504B.181, subd. 2(b) requires landlords to notify residential tenants that this handbook
is available to them.
Table of Contents:
ENTERING INTO THE AGREEMENT
- 1. INSPECTING THE UNIT BEFORE SIGNING A LEASE
- 2. REQUIRED MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND CHECK
- 3. SCREENING FEES AND PRE-LEASE FEES
- 4. SECURITY DEPOSITS
- Amount of the Deposit
- 5. TENANT REPORTS
- 6. THE LEASE
- Periodic Leases
- Definite Term Leases
- Length Restrictions for Some Leases
- Sale of the Building
- 7. DISCLOSURE TO THE TENANT
- 8. UTILITIES
- Single-Metered Residential Buildings
- 9. MAINTENANCE
- 10. UNLAWFUL DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY
- 11. ALTERATIONS
- DURING THE TENANCY
- 12. THE RENT
- Payments
- Late Fees
- Raising the Rent
- 13. TENANT’S RIGHT TO PRIVACY
- 14. TENANTS MAY SEEK POLICE AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
- 15. REPAIR PROBLEMS
- Calling In an Inspector
- Rent Escrow
- Using the Tenants Remedies Act
- Rent Abatement (return of money)
- Withholding Rent
- Defense
- 16. NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS
- 17. UNINHABITABLE OR CONDEMNED BUILDINGS
- ENDING THE TENANCY
- 18. PROPER NOTICE
- For Periodic Tenancies
- For Definite Term Tenancies
- Holdover Tenants
- Section 8 and Public Housing Programs
- 19. RIGHT OF VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE TO TERMINATE LEASE
- 20. THREE-DAY NOTICE DURING WINTER
- 21. REFUND OF THE SECURITY DEPOSIT
- Interest
- Taking the Matter to Court
- OTHER IMPORTANT LAWS
- 22. HOUSING COURTS
- 23. EVICTION
- Eviction Actions (Unlawful Detainer)
- Storage of Personal Property
- To Get the Property Back
- Eviction for Illegal Activities
- Seizure of Property
- 24. RETALIATION
- 25. UNLAWFUL EXCLUSIONS AND PROPERTY CONFISCATION
- 26. UTILITY SHUT-OFFS
- Loss of Essential Services
- 27. COLD WEATHER RULE
- Disconnection Notice
- Payment Plans
- Right to Appeal
- Additional Resources
- 28. TENANT’S RIGHT TO A TAX CREDIT (“CRP”)
- 29. DISCRIMINATION
- 30. HANDICAPPED-ACCESSIBLE UNIT
- 31. LANDLORD DISCLOSURE
- 32. SUBLEASING
- 33. ABANDONED PROPERTY
- 34. EXPANDED DEFINITION OF “TENANT”
- 35. SMOKING IN COMMON AREAS
- 36. MANUFACTURED HOME PARK RESIDENTS
- REFERENCES AND RESOURCES
- 37. REFERENCES
- 38. RESOURCE DIRECTORY
- ADDITIONAL CONSUMER INFORMATION
- Consumer Questions or Complaints
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