Minnesota Small Claims Court for a Security Deposit
Limits: $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only). Court: Conciliation Court. Limitation period listed in our state data: 6 years. Filing fees vary by county; service costs may be extra. See the table. E-filing verified in 5/87 counties. Typical demand-letter response window: 21 days.
County court coverage and fees
87 listed counties · E-filing: Yes 5, No 0, Not verified 82
Deposit return deadlines
- 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.
From a letter to court
- Send a Minnesota security deposit demand letter stating the deposit amount supported by your records. Give the landlord your forwarding address in writing.
- Before you file: review the deposit return deadlines above and allow the typical response window of 21 days after your letter.
- Time limit to sue in Minnesota: 6 years.
- Check the court's filing instructions. Keep your lease, payment records, photos, letter, and proof of delivery ready.
Listed numeric filing fees: $80.
How to file
Forms: Court forms and filing information
File online: Yes
Statewide filing fee: Statewide conciliation court filing fees are established by the legislature (Minn. Stat. § 357.022) plus a local law library fee. Hennepin County publishes Claim - up to $20,000 - $70.00. Statewide instructions say 'at least $65 (in some counties there is an additional amount for the law library fee).'
How papers are served:
- certified mail by clerk
Attorneys allowed: Yes
Appeal window: 21 days
You can use Minnesota Guide & File to create the forms you need to start a Conciliation Court case. You may be able to file the forms electronically (eFile) through Guide & File.
Free Minnesota template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. § 504B.178), a landlord must return the deposit or respond in writing within [21 calendar days / 5 calendar days, see the note above] after [the event listed in the note above].
Key facts
| Small claims limit | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) |
|---|---|
| Court | Conciliation Court |
| Limitation period listed in our state data | 6 years |
| Forwarding address required | Yes |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes |
What you can recover
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.
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 |
| Ramsey County | Minnesota District Court, Second Judicial District - Conciliation Court, St. Paul | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: $80 filing fee, including the county law-library fee | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Dakota County | Minnesota District Court, First Judicial District - Conciliation Court, Hastings | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: $80 filing fee, including the county law-library fee | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Anoka County | Minnesota District Court, Tenth Judicial District - Conciliation Court, Anoka | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: $80 filing fee, including the county law-library fee | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Washington County | Minnesota District Court, Tenth Judicial District - Conciliation Court, Stillwater | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: $80 filing fee, including the county law-library fee | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| St. Louis County | St. Louis County Conciliation Court, Duluth | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Olmsted County | Olmsted County Conciliation Court, Rochester | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Stearns County | Stearns County Conciliation Court, St. Cloud | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Scott County | Scott County Conciliation Court, Shakopee | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Wright County | Wright County Conciliation Court, Buffalo | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Carver County | Carver County Conciliation Court, Chaska | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Sherburne County | Sherburne County Conciliation Court, Elk River | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Blue Earth County | Blue Earth County Conciliation Court, Mankato | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Rice County | Rice County Conciliation Court, Faribault | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Crow Wing County | Crow Wing County Conciliation Court, Brainerd | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Clay County | Clay County Conciliation Court, Moorhead | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Otter Tail County | Otter Tail County Conciliation Court, Fergus Falls | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Chisago County | Chisago County Conciliation Court, Center City | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Winona County | Winona County Conciliation Court, Winona | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Goodhue County | Goodhue County Conciliation Court, Red Wing | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Beltrami County | Beltrami County Conciliation Court, Bemidji | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Itasca County | Itasca County Conciliation Court, Grand Rapids | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Kandiyohi County | Kandiyohi County Conciliation Court, Willmar | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Isanti County | Isanti County Conciliation Court, Cambridge | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Benton County | Benton County Conciliation Court, Foley | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Mower County | Mower County Conciliation Court, Austin | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Douglas County | Douglas County Conciliation Court, Alexandria | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Steele County | Steele County Conciliation Court, Owatonna | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| McLeod County | McLeod County Conciliation Court, Glencoe | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Carlton County | Carlton County Conciliation Court, Carlton | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Becker County | Becker County Conciliation Court, Detroit Lakes | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Morrison County | Morrison County Conciliation Court, Little Falls | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Nicollet County | Nicollet County Conciliation Court, St. Peter | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Cass County | Cass County Conciliation Court, Walker | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Polk County | Polk County Conciliation Court, Crookston | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Pine County | Pine County Conciliation Court, Pine City | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Freeborn County | Freeborn County Conciliation Court, Albert Lea | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Le Sueur County | Le Sueur County Conciliation Court, Le Center | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Mille Lacs County | Mille Lacs County Conciliation Court, Milaca | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Todd County | Todd County Conciliation Court, Long Prairie | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Brown County | Brown County Conciliation Court, New Ulm | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Lyon County | Lyon County Conciliation Court, Marshall | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Meeker County | Meeker County Conciliation Court, Litchfield | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Hubbard County | Hubbard County Conciliation Court, Park Rapids | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Nobles County | Nobles County Conciliation Court, Worthington | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Wabasha County | Wabasha County Conciliation Court, Wabasha | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Fillmore County | Fillmore County Conciliation Court, Preston | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Dodge County | Dodge County Conciliation Court, Mantorville | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Martin County | Martin County Conciliation Court, Fairmont | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Waseca County | Waseca County Conciliation Court, Waseca | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Houston County | Houston County Conciliation Court, Caledonia | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Kanabec County | Kanabec County Conciliation Court, Mora | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Aitkin County | Aitkin County Conciliation Court, Aitkin | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Roseau County | Roseau County Conciliation Court, Roseau | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Redwood County | Redwood County Conciliation Court, Redwood Falls | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Sibley County | Sibley County Conciliation Court, Gaylord | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Renville County | Renville County Conciliation Court, Olivia | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Wadena County | Wadena County Conciliation Court, Wadena | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Faribault County | Faribault County Conciliation Court, Blue Earth | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Pennington County | Pennington County Conciliation Court, Thief River Falls | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Chippewa County | Chippewa County Conciliation Court, Montevideo | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Koochiching County | Koochiching County Conciliation Court, International Falls | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Pope County | Pope County Conciliation Court, Glenwood | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Cottonwood County | Cottonwood County Conciliation Court, Windom | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Watonwan County | Watonwan County Conciliation Court, St. James | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Lake County | Lake County Conciliation Court, Two Harbors | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Jackson County | Jackson County Conciliation Court, Jackson | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Stevens County | Stevens County Conciliation Court, Morris | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Swift County | Swift County Conciliation Court, Benson | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Rock County | Rock County Conciliation Court, Luverne | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Yellow Medicine County | Yellow Medicine County Conciliation Court, Granite Falls | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Pipestone County | Pipestone County Conciliation Court, Pipestone | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Marshall County | Marshall County Conciliation Court, Warren | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Clearwater County | Clearwater County Conciliation Court, Bagley | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Murray County | Murray County Conciliation Court, Slayton | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Lac qui Parle County | Lac qui Parle County Conciliation Court, Madison | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Norman County | Norman County Conciliation Court, Ada | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Wilkin County | Wilkin County Conciliation Court, Breckenridge | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Grant County | Grant County Conciliation Court, Elbow Lake | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Cook County | Cook County Conciliation Court, Grand Marais | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Lincoln County | Lincoln County Conciliation Court, Ivanhoe | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Mahnomen County | Mahnomen County Conciliation Court, Mahnomen | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Big Stone County | Big Stone County Conciliation Court, Ortonville | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Kittson County | Kittson County Conciliation Court, Hallock | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Red Lake County | Red Lake County Conciliation Court, Red Lake Falls | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Lake of the Woods County | Lake of the Woods County Conciliation Court, Baudette | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Traverse County | Traverse County Conciliation Court, Wheaton | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
Detailed guides for 87 counties
- Hennepin County
- Ramsey County
- Dakota County
- Anoka County
- Washington County
- St. Louis County
- Olmsted County
- Stearns County
- Scott County
- Wright County
- Carver County
- Sherburne County
- Blue Earth County
- Rice County
- Crow Wing County
- Clay County
- Otter Tail County
- Chisago County
- Winona County
- Goodhue County
- Beltrami County
- Itasca County
- Kandiyohi County
- Isanti County
- Benton County
- Mower County
- Douglas County
- Steele County
- McLeod County
- Carlton County
- Becker County
- Morrison County
- Nicollet County
- Cass County
- Polk County
- Pine County
- Freeborn County
- Le Sueur County
- Mille Lacs County
- Todd County
- Brown County
- Lyon County
- Meeker County
- Hubbard County
- Nobles County
- Wabasha County
- Fillmore County
- Dodge County
- Martin County
- Waseca County
- Houston County
- Kanabec County
- Aitkin County
- Roseau County
- Redwood County
- Sibley County
- Renville County
- Wadena County
- Faribault County
- Pennington County
- Chippewa County
- Koochiching County
- Pope County
- Cottonwood County
- Watonwan County
- Lake County
- Jackson County
- Stevens County
- Swift County
- Rock County
- Yellow Medicine County
- Pipestone County
- Marshall County
- Clearwater County
- Murray County
- Lac qui Parle County
- Norman County
- Wilkin County
- Grant County
- Cook County
- Lincoln County
- Mahnomen County
- Big Stone County
- Kittson County
- Red Lake County
- Lake of the Woods County
- Traverse County
Statute says
Any landlord who fails to: (1) provide a written statement within three weeks of termination of the tenancy; ... after receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions, as required in subdivision 3, is liable to the tenant for damages in an amount equal to the portion of the deposit withheld by the landlord and interest thereon as provided in subdivision 2, as a penalty, in addition to the portion of the deposit wrongfully withheld by the landlord and interest thereon.
What this means
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
FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Minnesota?
$20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only)
What is the statute of limitations?
Limitation period listed in our state data: 6 years.
Can I recover more than my deposit?
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.
Which court handles the claim?
Conciliation Court
Should I send a demand letter first?
First listed deposit 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). Typical response window after a demand letter: 21 days.