Minneapolis, Minnesota Security Deposit: Which Rule Applies and Your Next Step
The Minneapolis ordinance text reviewed here does not change the return deadline: Minnesota law gives 21 days (Minn. Stat. § 504B.178). The city adds a deposit cap (Mpls. Code § 244.2040(b)). Check whether the ordinance covers your rental, then enter your dates and deposit below for a state law calculation and a letter.
State law vs Minneapolis ordinance
| Rule | Minnesota state law | Minneapolis ordinance |
|---|---|---|
| Return deadline | 21 calendar days after termination of the tenancy and after receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions. ordinary termination (three weeks = 21 days). 5 calendar days 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 building was legally condemned. | No separate return deadline in the ordinance text reviewed here |
| Deposit cap | No general statewide statutory maximum for ordinary residential deposits under § 504B.178. | No more than a single month's rent as a security deposit. If the lease requires payment before tenancy starts or before the end of the first month of more than the first rent installment plus the deposit, the cap is one-half of a single month's rent and the tenant may pay that deposit in installments over up to three months. Referral units coordinated with a nonprofit or government agency: maximum 1.5 times a single month's rent. (Mpls. Code § 244.2040(b)) |
| Penalty | 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. | Failure may result in criminal prosecution, adverse rental-license action, and/or administrative fines, restrictions, or penalties under Chapter 2. A § 244.150 notice of violation is not required to enforce this section. (Mpls. Code § 244.2040(d)) |
| Who it covers | See state statute and conditions above | Security deposits as defined in Minn. Stat. 504B.178 for Minneapolis dwelling units subject to Ch. 244. When tenant rent is subsidized, 'single month rent' is the total contract rent. |
Minn. Stat. § 504B.178 · Minneapolis Code Sec. 244.1940 - security deposits and required notice
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Details of the return rules
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| It ended the normal way | 21 days | after termination of the tenancy and after receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions |
| I had to leave because the building was condemned, and not because of anything I did | 5 days | 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 |
Minnesota return rule: 21 calendar days (ordinary termination (three weeks = 21 days)). Check the dates you entered above.
What Minneapolis adds to your claim
- deposit cap: No more than a single month's rent as a security deposit. If the lease requires payment before tenancy starts or before the end of the first month of more than the first rent installment plus the deposit, the cap is one-half of a single month's rent and the tenant may pay that deposit in installments over up to three months. Referral units coordinated with a nonprofit or government agency: maximum 1.5 times a single month's rent. (Mpls. Code § 244.2040(b))
- penalty: Failure may result in criminal prosecution, adverse rental-license action, and/or administrative fines, restrictions, or penalties under Chapter 2. A § 244.150 notice of violation is not required to enforce this section. (Mpls. Code § 244.2040(d))
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) only) | County filing fee: $70 filing fee, including the county law-library fee, effective July 1, 2025 | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
See the Hennepin County county filing page
Statute says
No landlord shall demand, charge, accept, or retain from a tenant more than a single month rent as a security deposit.
What this means
Minneapolis caps most security deposits at one month's rent (half a month, payable in up to three installments, if the tenant must pay more than first-month rent plus deposit before the end of month one). Referral tenancies may go to 1.5 months.
Source accessed: .
FAQ
Does Minneapolis set a separate deposit return deadline?
The ordinance text reviewed here sets no separate return deadline. See the Minnesota deadline and its conditions above.
What else does the Minneapolis ordinance require?
Minneapolis caps most security deposits at one month's rent (half a month, payable in up to three installments, if the tenant must pay more than first-month rent plus deposit before the end of month one). Referral tenancies may go to 1.5 months.
Does the ordinance cover my rental?
Security deposits as defined in Minn. Stat. 504B.178 for Minneapolis dwelling units subject to Ch. 244. When tenant rent is subsidized, 'single month rent' is the total contract rent.
What's next?
Previous page summary
Minneapolis caps most security deposits at one month's rent (half a month, payable in up to three installments, if the tenant must pay more than first-month rent plus deposit before the end of month one). Referral tenancies may go to 1.5 months.