Minneapolis Landlord-Tenant Rules
Minneapolis 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.
| Rent stabilization | None in effect. Minneapolis has no rent stabilization or rent control ordinance. Voters approved a 2021 charter amendment that lets the City Council adopt one, but the 2023 proposed ordinance (a new Code Chapter 252) was returned to its author and never sent to voters. Chapter 252 of the housing title is listed as reserved. The City Council could still propose a policy under the 2021 charter authority; check the City Clerk legislative files for any new action. Code listing: https://library.municode.com/mn/minneapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT12HO |
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| Security deposit (local add-on) | The security deposit may not exceed one month's rent. If the landlord also collects other up-front money (such as first and last month's rent), the deposit is capped at 50% of one month's rent, and the tenant may pay it over three months. When a government agency or nonprofit refers the renter, the most that can be collected is one and a half months' rent. Within 21 days after move-out (and receipt of a forwarding address), the owner must return the deposit with interest, or mail a written explanation of what was withheld, and must include copies of Minn. Stat. 504B.178 and Minneapolis Code 244.2040. |
| Required notices/registration | Pre-eviction notice: before filing an eviction for unpaid rent or fees, the owner must give the renter written notice and wait 30 days from mailing or hand delivery. This is longer than the state's 14-day notice. Before a lease is signed, owners must disclose the owner or manager's name and physical address for legal service (a real person), the rental license tier and housing code violations, and garbage, recycling and organics information. If they do not, the renter may end the lease with proper notice. Within 90 days after a lease starts, owners must give the City's renter-rights disclosure. Owners must post the rental license and the City 'Who to Call' poster near the main entrance. Lead-paint, environmental contamination and certain affordable-housing sale notices also apply. All rental properties need a City rental license. Rental licenses: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/rental-licenses/. Specific code sections were not shown on the pages. |
| Source-of-income discrimination | Under the Minneapolis Civil Rights Ordinance, owners may not refuse to rent to, prefer others over, or offer different terms to renters who use public assistance or rent subsidies such as Section 8 vouchers. Ads saying 'No Section 8' are illegal. The Minneapolis Civil Rights Department enforces the ordinance and may order fees paid to the renter, policy changes and monitoring. Chapter 139 is from general knowledge. The page names the Civil Rights Ordinance without a section. |
| Tenant screening | Landlords must either use the City's inclusive screening criteria or, if they use stricter criteria, do an individualized assessment: accept and consider supporting information from the applicant and give a specific reason for any denial. Under the inclusive criteria, income may be required to be up to 3 times the rent, with an exception for applicants who show they paid similar rent on time. Credit reports may be used only to judge ability to pay, with no minimum credit score. Owners may not consider evictions that were dismissed or that the tenant won, or certain old or expunged convictions. Owners generally may not ask about immigration or citizenship status, deny an applicant for using an ITIN, or retaliate against renters who request repairs. The section number 244.2030 is from general knowledge and unverified. |
| Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line | Report unsafe conditions, failed repairs, pests, and landlord threats or harassment to Minneapolis 311 (anonymous reports allowed; ask for a Housing Liaison if worried about retaliation). After a written request, owners should make non-emergency repairs within 14 days. Heating equipment must keep homes at 68 degrees. For no heat when 311 is closed, call 911. Owners must pay for pest extermination unless they prove the tenant caused it. City rental inspectors inspect licensed properties and order repairs with deadlines. |
Eviction cases in Minneapolis are heard in: Hennepin County District Court, Housing Court
Eviction court, fees and help
Local agencies
- Minneapolis Regulatory Services (Rental Licensing & Inspections) via 311 — Rental licenses, inspections, housing code complaints and renter help.
- Minneapolis Civil Rights Department — Enforces source-of-income (public assistance) and other housing discrimination protections.
Frequently asked questions
What landlord-tenant rules does Minneapolis add on top of Minnesota law?
Rent stabilization: None in effect. Minneapolis has no rent stabilization or rent control ordinance. Voters approved a 2021 charter amendment that lets the City Council adopt one, but the 2023 proposed ordinance (a new Code Chapter 252) was returned to its author and never sent to voters. Chapter 252 of the housing title is listed as reserved.; Security deposit (local add-on): The security deposit may not exceed one month's rent. If the landlord also collects other up-front money (such as first and last month's rent), the deposit is capped at 50% of one month's rent, and the tenant may pay it over three months. When a government agency or nonprofit refers the renter, the most that can be collected is one and a half months' rent. Within 21 days after move-out (and receipt of a forwarding address), the owner must return the deposit with interest, or mail a written explanation of what was withheld, and must include copies of Minn. Stat. 504B.178 and Minneapolis Code 244.2040.; Required notices/registration: Pre-eviction notice: before filing an eviction for unpaid rent or fees, the owner must give the renter written notice and wait 30 days from mailing or hand delivery. This is longer than the state's 14-day notice. Before a lease is signed, owners must disclose the owner or manager's name and physical address for legal service (a real person), the rental license tier and housing code violations, and garbage, recycling and organics information. If they do not, the renter may end the lease with proper notice. Within 90 days after a lease starts, owners must give the City's renter-rights disclosure. Owners must post the rental license and the City 'Who to Call' poster near the main entrance. Lead-paint, environmental contamination and certain affordable-housing sale notices also apply. All rental properties need a City rental license.; Source-of-income discrimination: Under the Minneapolis Civil Rights Ordinance, owners may not refuse to rent to, prefer others over, or offer different terms to renters who use public assistance or rent subsidies such as Section 8 vouchers. Ads saying 'No Section 8' are illegal. The Minneapolis Civil Rights Department enforces the ordinance and may order fees paid to the renter, policy changes and monitoring.
← All Minnesota landlord-tenant rules
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.