Minnesota · Security deposits · Updated Oct 2026

Minnesota security deposit law

In Minnesota, your landlord has 21 days (5 if condemned) to return your deposit.

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026

Short answer

In Minnesota, the deposit limit is: no statewide limit. The landlord must return it as follows: Within 3 weeks after your tenancy ends (or within 5 days if you had to leave because the building was condemned, not through your fault), and after you give a mailing address or delivery instructions, the landlord must return the deposit with interest or give you a written statement of why it kept any part.

deposit limit: No statewide limit
to return a deposit: 21 days (5 if condemned)
deposit penalty: Up to 2× (bad faith)

Get your letter ↓ Check the deadline ↓

Get your deposit back, step by step

Before you move out, clean, take dated photos and video of every room, and return all keys.
Give your landlord your new address in writing. In Minnesota: Within 3 weeks after your tenancy ends (or within 5 days if you had to leave because the building was condemned, not through your fault), and after you give a mailing address or delivery instructions, the landlord must return the deposit with interest or give you a written statement of why it kept any part.
Wait for the deadline: Within 3 weeks after your tenancy ends (or within 5 days if you had to leave because the building was condemned, not through your fault), and after you give a mailing address or delivery instructions, the landlord must return the deposit with interest or give you a written statement of why it kept any part.
If the money or an itemized list doesn't come, or the deductions are wrong, send a demand letter (below). Keep proof of mailing.
If that doesn't work, sue in small claims court. Limit: $20,000 in Conciliation Court since July 1, 2024. Small claims court in Minnesota on RobinClaim

Deposit return calculator for Minnesota

Find your state's deadline for returning a security deposit, whether your landlord is late and what you may be owed.

Security deposit demand letter for Minnesota

A short, firm and polite letter asking your landlord to return your deposit by a date. It cites your state's deposit law. Many landlords pay at this step, and the letter is proof that you asked. Fill this in, download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it), sign it, keep a copy and send it in a way you can prove, such as certified mail with a return receipt.

Your full name (required)

Where should they send your money? (your mailing address) (required)

Phone

Landlord or property manager (required)

The name on your lease or rent receipts.

Landlord's address (required to mail it)

Address of the rental (required)

I will hand it to the landlord or email it (no mailing address needed)

Date of the letter

Usually today. The deadline in the letter counts from this date.

Date you moved in

Date you moved out (required)

Deposit you paid ($) (required)

Amount the landlord returned ($)

Did you get an itemized list of deductions?

Days the landlord has to pay

We suggest 14 days.

Why the deductions are wrong (optional, in English)

One or two sentences. This text goes into the letter as written.

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Other formats

Sign it, keep a copy, and send it by certified mail with a return receipt. The receipt is your proof that the landlord got it.

Security deposit in Minnesota

Limit: no statewide limit
Deadline to return it: Within 3 weeks after your tenancy ends (or within 5 days if you had to leave because the building was condemned, not through your fault), and after you give a mailing address or delivery instructions, the landlord must return the deposit with interest or give you a written statement of why it kept any part. Mailing first class by the deadline counts.
Itemized list: A written statement showing the specific reason for keeping any part. The landlord has the burden of proving the reason in court.
What may be deducted: Only amounts reasonably needed to cover unpaid rent or other money you owe under the lease, and to restore the unit to its move-in condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted. You may not use the deposit as your last month's rent (except in a month-to-month tenancy where no notice to quit has been served).
Interest: 1% simple interest a year, from the first day of the month after you paid the full deposit (amounts under $1 excluded).
Move-in checklist: On request. At the start of the tenancy or within 14 days after you move in, the landlord must tell you that you may ask for a move-in inspection. Before the tenancy ends, the landlord must tell you in writing that you may ask for a move-out inspection (no earlier than 5 days before you leave) and be present. You may instead agree in writing on photos or videos of the unit's condition (Minn. Stat. §504B.182). A landlord who fails to give these notices or do a requested inspection owes the deposit penalty (§504B.178, subd. 4).
If the landlord keeps it wrongly: If the landlord misses the 3-week (or 5-day) deadline, or fails to offer/complete the required inspections, it owes the wrongly withheld amount plus interest and a penalty equal to that amount (in effect, double). Bad-faith retention adds punitive damages of up to $500 per deposit; retention is presumed in bad faith if the landlord missed the deadline and does not return the deposit within 2 weeks after you sue.
Law: Minn. Stat. §504B.178

Small claims court in Minnesota

Deposit disputes usually go to small claims court, where you don't need a lawyer. Limit: $20,000 in Conciliation Court since July 1, 2024.

How to file in Minnesota

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Sources

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026