Duluth Landlord-Tenant Rules
Duluth adds local rules on top of Minnesota landlord-tenant law. Here is what is different, with the city code or agency page behind each rule.
| Tenant-rights notice in leases | Since January 1, 2026, owners of rental property that must be licensed in Duluth must include in the lease (written or oral) or a lease addendum: a summary of tenant rights under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 504B and city ordinance; contact information for the City's Life Safety Division; and contact information for One Roof Community Housing's Tenant Landlord Connection. Owners of licensed buildings with five or more units must also post a printed tenant-rights notice with those contacts in a public, conspicuous spot such as a hallway, entrance or laundry room. Tenants may report violations to the Life Safety Division; violators face a fine. |
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| Repair complaints & rental licensing | Rental properties in Duluth must be licensed, and the Fire Department's Life Safety Division inspects them and handles tenant complaints about housing-code violations. Before the City will inspect, the tenant must (1) tell the landlord about the problem in writing (letter, text or email; conversations do not count), (2) give the landlord two weeks to address non-life-safety maintenance issues, then (3) submit the City's Tenant Complaint Form with a copy of the written notice to lifesafety@duluthmn.gov or by mail or drop-off at 615 W 1st St. The owner receives an order to correct any violations found. Mold by itself is not a housing-code violation, though its cause (such as a leaky roof or bad plumbing) may be. The City does not get involved in lease disputes or evictions. For lack of heat, water or electricity, or unsafe structural conditions, call 218-730-4380 immediately. The City says rental inspections are behind schedule, and licenses whose renewal fees are paid will not be revoked for lack of inspection: https://duluthmn.gov/fire/licenses-and-permits/ |
| Free legal aid for renters | Justice North, a nonprofit civil law firm (named on the City's tenant complaint form as a tenant resource), helps low-income and vulnerable Minnesotans with civil legal problems. Apply online or call 877-MY-MN-LAW. The City's form also lists One Roof Community Housing's Tenant Landlord Connection program. Source: Official source |
Right to a lawyer in eviction cases
No local right-to-counsel program was found. Official source
Local agencies
- Duluth Fire Department - Life Safety Division — Rental licensing, rental inspections and tenant housing-code complaints. 218-730-4380; lifesafety@duluthmn.gov.
- One Roof Community Housing - Tenant Landlord Connection — Tenant/landlord resource listed by the City on its complaint form and in the required lease notice.
- Justice North — Free civil legal help for eligible Minnesotans. 877-MY-MN-LAW.
Frequently asked questions
What landlord-tenant rules does Duluth add on top of Minnesota law?
Tenant-rights notice in leases: Since January 1, 2026, owners of rental property that must be licensed in Duluth must include in the lease (written or oral) or a lease addendum: a summary of tenant rights under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 504B and city ordinance; contact information for the City's Life Safety Division; and contact information for One Roof Community Housing's Tenant Landlord Connection. Owners of licensed buildings with five or more units must also post a printed tenant-rights notice with those contacts in a public, conspicuous spot such as a hallway, entrance or laundry room. Tenants may report violations to the Life Safety Division; violators face a fine.; Repair complaints & rental licensing: Rental properties in Duluth must be licensed, and the Fire Department's Life Safety Division inspects them and handles tenant complaints about housing-code violations. Before the City will inspect, the tenant must (1) tell the landlord about the problem in writing (letter, text or email; conversations do not count), (2) give the landlord two weeks to address non-life-safety maintenance issues, then (3) submit the City's Tenant Complaint Form with a copy of the written notice to lifesafety@duluthmn.gov or by mail or drop-off at 615 W 1st St. The owner receives an order to correct any violations found. Mold by itself is not a housing-code violation, though its cause (such as a leaky roof or bad plumbing) may be. The City does not get involved in lease disputes or evictions. For lack of heat, water or electricity, or unsafe structural conditions, call 218-730-4380 immediately.; Free legal aid for renters: Justice North, a nonprofit civil law firm (named on the City's tenant complaint form as a tenant resource), helps low-income and vulnerable Minnesotans with civil legal problems. Apply online or call 877-MY-MN-LAW.
← All Minnesota landlord-tenant rules
Last verified against official sources: October 29, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.