Minnesota Apartment Lease Agreement

Legal Aspects  

This document must contain provisions from the state’s rental laws as a binding contract. This ensures that involved parties are on amicable terms. You’ll find the following sections outlined in aMinnesota apartment lease agreement. 

Security Deposit

• Maximum amount: No maximum limit is specified for the amount a landlord can charge as a security deposit in Minnesota.

• Interest on security deposit: Landlords must pay interest on the security deposit at a rate of 1% per annum.

• Return of security deposit: The landlord must return the deposit or provide a written statement showing the specific reasons for withholding any portion of the deposit within:

  – Three (3) weeks after the termination of the tenancy, or

  – Five (5) days after the tenant leaves due to legal condemnation of the building or dwelling not caused by the tenant’s willful, malicious, or irresponsible conduct.

• Permissible deductions: The landlord may only withhold amounts reasonably necessary for:

  – Unpaid rent or other funds due to the landlord as per the agreement

  – Restoring the premises to their condition at the start of the tenancy, excluding normal wear and tear

• The burden of proof: In any legal action concerning the security deposit, the burden of proving the reason for withholding any portion of the deposit falls on the landlord.

• Damages for non-compliance: If the landlord fails to provide a written statement, transfer the deposit, or provide proper inspection notices, the landlord is liable to the tenant for damages equal to the withheld deposit amount plus interest.

Entry Access

• Landlords can enter rented premises only for reasonable business purposes and with 24-hour advance notice unless the tenant agrees to less notice.

• Entry must be between 8 am and 8 pm unless agreed otherwise. 

• Reasonable purposes include showing the unit to prospective tenants/buyers, performing maintenance and inspections, dealing with disturbances or lease violations, and entering vacant units.

• Landlords can enter without prior notice if they reasonably suspect immediate entry is needed to prevent injury, determine tenant safety, or comply with laws on unlawful activity.

• If entering without the tenant present, the landlord must leave a written disclosure.

• Violations can result in rent reductions, security deposit recovery, civil penalties of up to $500 per violation, and attorney’s fees.

Pets Policy

• Service and support animals: Landlords in Minnesota can’t prohibit tenants with disabilities from using assistance animals. They also can’t charge pet fees. 

• Reasonable accommodation: Tenants must request exceptions to pet restrictions, describing the animal’s supportive role related to their disability. Reliable documentation can be required.  

• Denial reasons: Requests may be denied only if animals threaten health/safety or would cause undue administrative/financial burden or property damage.  

• Local laws: Tenants with assistance animals must still comply with licensing, immunization, exotic pet prohibitions, and multi-animal ordinances.  

Disclosures

When filling in a Minnesota apartment lease agreement, tenants must look for the following disclosures: 

• All non-optional fees must be disclosed in the lease and listed as the Total Monthly Payment on page one.
• Names of all authorized persons, including the landlord.
• Inspection and Condemnation Disclosure.
• A financial distress disclosure if the property is pending any foreclosure.
• A covenant not to allow illegal activity.
• A lead-based paint disclosure if the property was built in 1978 or earlier.
• You must include a shared utilities disclosure if the building only has one meter for multiple units.