Free Legal Help for Tenants and Landlords in Minnesota
Legal aid organizations, right-to-counsel programs and official court self-help resources in Minnesota, gathered from the state, county and city pages on this site.
Right to a free lawyer in eviction cases
Statewide: Limited. Only tenants in HUD Section 9 public housing who face an eviction for breach of lease and cannot afford a lawyer have a right to court-appointed counsel. The first page of the complaint must include, in bold 12-point type: 'If financially unable to obtain counsel, the defendant has the right to a court-appointed attorney.' The court must offer appointed counsel at the first hearing. There is no general statewide right to counsel in nonpayment or other evictions. Minn. Stat. § 504B.268 (2023 c. 52, art. 19, § 89)
Free legal aid organizations
- Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid — Free civil legal help (housing practice) for low-income people; intake 1-877-696-6529. County coverage not confirmed on the loaded page.Serves: Hennepin County (Minneapolis)
- Ramsey County Housing Court pro bono clinic (Minnesota Justice Foundation) — Tuesdays 1-4 PM, Ramsey County Law Library.Serves: Ramsey County (St. Paul)
- HOME Line — Free, confidential tenant hotline for renters throughout Minnesota: 612-728-5767; toll-free from Greater Minnesota 866-866-3546.Serves: Anoka County, St. Louis County
- Central Minnesota Legal Services — Lists an Anoka contact at 612-332-8151; Anoka County lists CMLS as free legal services for tenants only.Serves: Anoka County
- Volunteer Lawyers Network — Listed by Anoka County at 612-752-6677 for free legal/mediation services for eligible tenants and landlords.Serves: Anoka County, St. Louis County
- Justice North (formerly Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota) - Duluth Office — 230 W. Superior St., Suite 200, Duluth, MN 55802; 1-877-696-6529. Free civil legal help for low-income people, including housing.Serves: St. Louis County
- Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) — Serves 33 southern Minnesota counties including Washington; call 1-877-696-6529 or apply online. St. Paul Central Office: 445 Minnesota Street, Ste. 1800, St. Paul; (651) 222-5863.Serves: Washington County
- Central Minnesota Legal Services - St. Cloud Office — Serves Benton, Chisago, Isanti, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright counties. 110 6th Avenue S, Suite 205, St. Cloud, MN 56301; (320) 253-0138; new clients 1-877-696-6529. Mon-Thu 8:30-4:30, Fri 8:30-noon.Serves: Stearns County
- Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) - Rochester Office — SMRLS serves 33 southern Minnesota counties including Olmsted (https://www.smrls.org/how-we-can-help). Rochester Office: 903 West Center Street, Suite 230, Rochester, MN 55902; (507) 292-0080; intake 1-877-696-6529.Serves: Olmsted County
Find a tenant or eviction lawyer in Minnesota
If you do not qualify for free legal aid, a bar lawyer referral service can match you with a landlord-tenant lawyer for a low-cost first consultation.
- Minnesota Lawyer Referral (Hennepin and Ramsey County Bar Associations), linked from the Minnesota State Bar Association's public page — 612-752-669930-minute consultation for $30 or less
Official court and state resources
- Minnesota Attorney General - Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities (rev. July 2025)
- Minnesota Judicial Branch - Landlord Resources FAQ
- Minn. Stat. ch. 504B - Landlord and Tenant
- Saint Paul Rent Stabilization Ordinance (ch. 193A, June 2025)
Legal aid groups set their own eligibility rules (usually income-based). Call ahead or check their site.
← Minnesota landlord-tenant law · Legal help in other states
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.