Renters' Resources

As a renter in Minnesota, you have the following rights. Read the full Tenant's Rights Booklet from LawHelpMN.org.

1. Your landlord must follow the rules of your lease.
2. Your landlord must keep your apartment free of health and safety hazards.
3. Your landlord must keep your apartment in good repair. The structure, fixtures, plumbing and other equipment must be kept working safely and properly.
4. Your landlord must provide heat at a minimum temperature of 68 degrees from October 1 through April 30, unless a utility company tells them the heat has to be reduced.
5. You have the right to call local housing, health, safety, and fire inspectors and ask them to inspect your apartment (if available in your area).
6. Your building must be insulated and weatherized if it was built before 1976.
7. Your landlord must follow the laws on weather stripping, caulking, and energy efficiency standards for storm windows and doors.
8. You have the right to the undisturbed and peaceful possession of your apartment.  You have the right to be left alone and free of harassment.  The landlord cannot allow certain illegal activities on the property like prostitution or prostitution-related activity, the unlawful use or possession of a firearm, or the manufacture, purchase, possession, sale, distribution or presence of illegal drugs or stolen property anywhere on the premises, including the common areas.  If a landlord violates this rule, you can sue them.
9. You have the right to call for the police or emergency help in response to domestic abuse, a mental health crisis, or any other conduct.  Your landlord cannot punish you for doing so.  It is the law.  You can sue your landlord if they violate this law.
10. You have the right to privacy and the right to keep your landlord from entering your apartment without your permission.  The landlord can only enter without permission if the lease says that they can, or if there is an emergency, or if the landlord has a reasonable business purpose to enter and tries to give you reasonable notice. Remember, even if the lease says the landlord can enter your apartment without permission, they still have to try to give you reasonable notice.
11. Your landlord has to give you his or her name and address.
12. Your landlord may not end your lease, raise your rent, or cut your services without proper written notice.
13. Your landlord may not evict you or retaliate against you (get back at you) for complaining or standing up for your rights as a tenant.
14. In Minneapolis and many other cities, a landlord has to have a rental license.
15. Your landlord may not shut off your utilities or lock you out of your apartment.
16. Your landlord may not force you to move out of your apartment without going to court.
17. You have the right to get your security deposit back, with interest, within 3 weeks (21 days) after you move and give your landlord your forwarding address.  This is not true if the building has been condemned (see "Condemnation" in Chapter 4). But your landlord may keep a reasonable amount of the security deposit to pay for damages and unpaid rent.  If the landlord does this they have to give you a written explanation within the 3 weeks.  Your landlord cannot make you pay for normal "wear and tear" to the apartment.
18. Your landlord may not hold your personal belongings for non-payment of rent.
19. Your landlord must give you a certificate of rent paid (CPR) so that you can claim a state tax credit.
20. Your landlord must tell you about outstanding inspection and condemnation orders for which a citation has been issued (see "Condemnation" in Chapter 4).
21. If a landlord charges you an application fee, the landlord must tell you the name, address and telephone number of the tenant screening company they will use.
22. If a landlord charges you a pre-lease deposit (also called a “deposit-to-hold”) and then refuses to rent you an apartment, they have to give your money back within 7 days.
23. If you are a victim of domestic violence and have a court Order for Protection or a No-Contact Order, you can break your lease (see "Domestic Violence Victims' Right to Break the Lease" in Chapter 5).
24. You and the other tenants have the right to organize and establish a tenants’ association to address issues facing you and other tenants.  The landlord cannot retaliate against your for participating in a tenant’s association.

Information

Minnesota Attorney General – Landlords and Tenants Handbook (Rights & Responsibilities)

MN Dept of Commerce: Renters Insurance

Minnesota Statutes Chapter 504B – Landlord–Tenant Code

LawHelp Minnesota: Tenants' Rights in Minnesota

Support

Minnesota Judicial Branch – Landlord and Tenant Issues / Self-Help Centers

Housing Justice Center (Minnesota)

HOME Line

University Student Legal Services

What should I know about the rental process?

Apartments.com: 11 Tips for First-Time Renters

What should I know about getting approved for an apartment?

Realtor.com: How To Get Approved for an Apartment

What do I need in my first apartment?

USAA: First-Time Apartment Renters Guide

How do I manage my stress during the moving process?

Connect with Negin Emami-Simones, Realtor® and Mental Health Practitioner extraordinaire.