Minnesota Security Deposit Demand Letter
Direct answer
In Minnesota, the landlord must return the deposit within 21 calendar days (ordinary termination (three weeks = 21 days)) or 5 calendar days (condemnation branch). The deadline is measured from this trigger: 21 calendar days (ordinary termination (three weeks = 21 days)): after termination of the tenancy and after receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions; 5 calendar days (condemnation branch): after tenant leaves due to legal condemnation of the building/dwelling for reasons not due to willful, malicious, or irresponsible conduct of the tenant, and after receipt of mailing address or delivery instructions. The verified state formula is failure to provide timely written statement (or other listed duties) = liability for the withheld portion plus interest as a penalty, in addition to the portion wrongfully withheld plus interest; separate bad-faith punitive damages up to $500 per deposit under Minn. Stat. § 504B.178.
Key facts
| Deadline | 21 calendar days (ordinary termination (three weeks = 21 days)); trigger: after termination of the tenancy and after receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions |
|---|---|
| Deadline (branch 2) | 5 calendar days (condemnation branch); trigger: after tenant leaves due to legal condemnation of the building/dwelling for reasons not due to willful, malicious, or irresponsible conduct of the tenant, and after receipt of mailing address or delivery instructions |
| Penalty formula | failure to provide timely written statement (or other listed duties) = liability for the withheld portion plus interest as a penalty, in addition to the portion wrongfully withheld plus interest; separate bad-faith punitive damages up to $500 per deposit |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes |
| Interest on deposit | Yes |
| Maximum deposit | No general statewide statutory maximum for ordinary residential deposits under § 504B.178. |
| Forwarding address required | Yes |
| Small claims limit | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide)) in Conciliation Court |
| Statute citation | Minn. Stat. § 504B.178 |
Statute says
Every landlord shall: (1) within three weeks after termination of the tenancy; or (2) within five days of the date when the tenant leaves the building or dwelling due to the legal condemnation of the building or dwelling in which the tenant lives for reasons not due to willful, malicious, or irresponsible conduct of the tenant, and after receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions, return the deposit to the tenant, with interest thereon as provided in subdivision 2, or furnish to the tenant a written statement showing the specific reason for the withholding of the deposit or any portion thereof.
What this means
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together before sending a letter. Match the dates in your documents to the trigger listed above, then cite Minn. Stat. § 504B.178 and request the deposit amount supported by your records.
Worked example
Use your actual deposit amount when you write the letter. For context, median rent in Minnesota is $1,280 according to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates data as of .
- Hennepin County: $1,487
- Ramsey County: $1,329
- Dakota County: $1,548
- Anoka County: $1,464
- Washington County: $1,710
Example demand basis: a deposit equal to the state median rent starts at $1,280 before applying the state formula: failure to provide timely written statement (or other listed duties) = liability for the withheld portion plus interest as a penalty, in addition to the portion wrongfully withheld plus interest; separate bad-faith punitive damages up to $500 per deposit.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hennepin County | Minnesota District Court, Fourth Judicial District - Conciliation Court, Minneapolis | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide)) | $70 filing fee, including the county law-library fee, effective July 1, 2025 | Yes | Court site |
| Ramsey County | Minnesota District Court, Second Judicial District - Conciliation Court, St. Paul | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide)) | $80 filing fee, including the county law-library fee | Yes | Court site |
| Dakota County | Minnesota District Court, First Judicial District - Conciliation Court, Hastings | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide)) | $80 filing fee, including the county law-library fee | Yes | Court site |
| Anoka County | Minnesota District Court, Tenth Judicial District - Conciliation Court, Anoka | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide)) | $80 filing fee, including the county law-library fee | Yes | Court site |
| Washington County | Minnesota District Court, Tenth Judicial District - Conciliation Court, Stillwater | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide)) | $80 filing fee, including the county law-library fee | Yes | Court site |
Free Minnesota template, built from verified state data
I am requesting the return of my security deposit. The verified Minnesota data for this page lists a 21 calendar days (ordinary termination (three weeks = 21 days)) or 5 calendar days (condemnation branch) return window and cites Minn. Stat. § 504B.178.
Before you send
- Collect your lease, deposit receipt, and move-in records.
- Save photos, videos, and messages about move-out condition.
- Write down the move-out date you can prove.
- Confirm the forwarding address you gave the landlord.
- Send by certified mail when appropriate, and keep a copy of the final letter and delivery proof.
When this letter will NOT work
- The dispute is not about return of a security deposit.
- You need urgent court relief instead of a demand letter.
- You cannot identify the landlord or property manager to contact.
- Your documents point to a different state or a different kind of claim.
Typical mistakes
- Sending a letter before organizing the documents that prove the timeline.
- Demanding an amount that does not match the payment records.
- Leaving out the forwarding address or preferred response method.
- Mixing repair complaints into a deposit letter without separating the issues.
Local ordinances
FAQ
Does Minneapolis have its own security deposit law?
Yes. Minneapolis Code Sec. 244.1940 - security deposits and required notice is listed in the city ordinance data for Minneapolis.
Does St. Paul have its own security deposit law?
Yes. Saint Paul Tenant Protections Ordinance - security-deposit limitation is listed in the city ordinance data for St. Paul.
Does Rochester have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Minnesota law and local rules.
Does Bloomington have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Minnesota law and local rules.
Can I use this if I do not know the exact deposit amount?
Use the amount shown in your lease, receipt, or move-in records. If records conflict, keep copies and avoid guessing in the letter.
Should I send evidence with the first letter?
Attach copies when they prove the basic facts, such as payment, move-out condition, forwarding address, or prior messages.
Can this page replace legal advice?
No. This page is self-help information for organizing a demand letter and checking the cited data before you act.
City data on this page currently includes Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Bloomington, Duluth, Brooklyn Park, Plymouth, Woodbury.
Tenant resources
- HOME Line tenant hotlinehotline, 612-728-5767
- Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid - get helplegal aid in Minneapolis
- LawHelpMNlegal aid
- Minnesota Attorney General - Security Deposits chapterag consumer
- Minnesota Judicial Branch - Conciliation Court FAQscourt self help