Rent increases in Minnesota

The Attorney General says that in a periodic tenancy, rent can't be raised without proper written notice of one rental period plus one day. The notice must be received by the day before the rental period begins and takes effect at the start of the next period. A lease cannot let the landlord give a rent-increase notice shorter than the notice the tenant must give to move out. (Minn. Stat. §§ 504B.135, 504B.147; MN AG Landlords and Tenants handbook ch. 2–3)

No separate rent-increase rule: the periods below are the notice to end a periodic tenancy.

• The notice must be in writing.
• The change can only start at the end of a rental period (on a rent day).

Earliest date the new rent can start, with rent due on the 1st, worked out from the Minnesota rule above:

• For a month-to-month tenant of 1 year raising rent 5% or a month-to-month tenant of 3 years raising rent 12%: Friday, January 1, 2027

During a fixed-term lease, rent cannot be raised during the term unless the lease allows for an increase. (MN AG Landlords and Tenants handbook ch. 2)

Cities, counties and towns may not adopt rent control, except by an ordinance or charter amendment approved by voters in a general election. (Minn. Stat. § 471.9996)

• Saint Paul: The voter-approved Rent Stabilization Ordinance limits increases to 3% in any 12-month period. Landlords may seek exceptions (self-certified 3–8%, or more with city approval), and after a just-cause vacancy the limit is CPI + 8%. Amendments in effect June 13, 2025 exempt newly built rental properties.

A landlord may not raise a tenant's obligations, cut services or evict as a penalty for a good-faith code complaint. If the increase comes within 90 days after the complaint, the landlord must prove it was not retaliatory. A retaliatory rent increase is also a defense to an eviction for nonpayment if the tenant tenders the original rent. (Minn. Stat. §§ 504B.441, 504B.285 subds. 2–3)

• The parties cannot waive § 504B.147, which bars a landlord rent-increase notice shorter than the tenant's notice period in the lease.
• Notice is effective when received, not when mailed (MN AG handbook ch. 3).

Security deposit

No statutory limit. Return deadline: 21 days after the tenancy terminates.

Tenant's notice to move out

1 rental period, ending with a rental period

Notice for unpaid rent

14 days (pay or move out)

How a written notice is delivered (eviction-notice rules)

Delivered personally or by first-class mail to the tenant at the rental address (Minn. Stat. § 504B.321, subd. 1a(b)).

Notice for other lease violations

No notice required

Small claims court limit

$20,000 — where most deposit and rent disputes are filed.

Repairs

Time to repair: 14 days. Repair and deduct: allowed with limits; withholding rent: allowed with limits.

Deposit kept wrongly

Missing the deadline or required inspections: the withheld amount plus interest as a penalty, on top of the amount wrongfully withheld plus interest. Bad-faith retention adds punitive damages up to $500 (§ 504B.178 subds. 4, 7).

Lawful reasons to end a lease early

Domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking; Age, illness or disability; Unit unlivable or landlord fails to repair; Other

• Minn. Stat. § 504B.135 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• Minn. Stat. § 504B.147 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• Minn. Stat. § 504B.285 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• Minn. Stat. § 504B.441 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• Minn. Stat. § 471.9996 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• MN Attorney General – Landlords & Tenants, ch. 2 (During the Tenancy) Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• MN Attorney General – Landlords & Tenants, ch. 3 (Ending the Tenancy) Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• City of Saint Paul – Rent Stabilization Retrieved October 15, 2026.

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 15, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; for a dispute, contact your state's legal aid. See our methodology.