Renter rights

We explain your rights as a renter. We cover rights related to screening, security deposits and evictions.

Overview

Most people in Minneapolis rent their homes. Find out what you need to know about your rights as a renter in Minneapolis:

Quick guide and video

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Minneapolis Housing Liaisons

Housing Liaisons

We help renters and property owners solve housing issues.

Renter screening

When you apply for rental housing, property managers have two options for reviewing your application.

Inclusive screening criteria

A property owner can use the City’s inclusive screening criteria when a renter applies.

The City's guidelines limit:

  • What information a property owner can use to deny your application, including your:
    • Criminal history
    • Rental history
    • Credit history
  • How far back they can look in your history for a criminal conviction or eviction action

Examples

  • Misdemeanor older than three years:
    • A property manager cannot use this to deny your application.
  • Credit score:
    • Property managers cannot set a minimum credit score for renters.
    • They can look at your credit report, but only to see if you could pay rent.

See our Guide to screening and security deposit rights

Individual assessment

If property managers decide to use criteria that is stricter than the City guidelines, they must:

  • Look at your application individually
  • Let you submit more information with your application
  • Consider everything you provide when they look at your application
  • Give a specific reason if they deny your application

See our Guide to screening and security deposit rights

Screening and security deposit rights guide

Our guide explains the City's rules for rental screening and security deposits. The guide is available in English and Spanish.

Security deposits

Learn your rights related to security deposit limits and returns

Security deposit limit

Your security deposit cannot be more than a single month's rent.

A property owner might ask for more than one month rent up front. For example, they might ask you to pay the first and last month's rent before starting your lease.

If the property owner is asking for more than a single month’s rent up front:

  • The security deposit cannot be more than 50% of a single month’s rent.
  • You may choose to pay it over three months.

See our Guide to screening and security deposit rights

Security deposit return

Property owners must return:

  • Your security deposit plus interest, or
  • A written explanation of why they are holding all or part back

They must mail the letter within 21 days of you moving out and providing a forwarding address

For more help with security deposits:

Evictions

We explain your rights as a renter if you are facing eviction.

Before filing an eviction for not paying rent

A property owner must give you notice in writing

The pre-eviction notice must list:

  • What fees are due
  • The timeline for paying fee
  • Who you can pay

The property owner must send the notice at least 30 days before they start the eviction process

  • The 30 days start the day they mail or hand deliver the notice to you.
  • After 30 days, the property owner can start the eviction process if:
    • You have not paid the total amount due
    • You do not move from the property

There are resources for renters who are at risk of eviction:

  • Legal help
  • Financial help
  • More rental resources

See Renter resources

Right to a lawyer during eviction

Low-income renters in Minneapolis have the right to a lawyer in eviction cases.

Get free legal help with an eviction

Relocation

You may be able to get financial help with relocation.

Financial help with relocation

Relocation help is defined as three months' rent. 

You may be able to get relocation help if:

  • Need to move out of your rental unit due to code violation by the owner or manager 
  • The rental license of your building is revoked or cancelled by the City
  • The rental license for your building is applied for but denied
  • You live in Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH), your building is sold and:
    • Your lease ends without cause
    • You have to move due to a rent increase
    • The new property owner screens you and lose your housing
      Read about NOAH

Contact 311 to connect with a rental housing liaison

Repairs and maintenance

You have a right to housing that meets minimum standards for safety and comfort.

If your unit needs repairs

Minneapolis renters have a right to housing that meets minimum standards for safety and comfort.

If your unit needs repairs:

See the City's Property maintenance rules for property owners

Retaliation

A property owner cannot retaliate against you for reporting an issue in your home.

Retaliation is illegal

It is illegal for a property owner to retaliate against you for reporting an issue in your home.

If you think that you have been retaliated against, you can:

Contact us

Regulatory Services

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 510
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Office hours

8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday

Closed on City holidays

See list of City holidays

Minneapolis 311

Hours

7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Monday – Friday

See list of City holidays