Dakota County, Minnesota: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs
Listed court is Minnesota District Court, First Judicial District - Conciliation Court in Hastings. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: $80. Claims up to $20,000. Minnesota return time: 21 calendar days or another period by condition. ACS two-bedroom rent: $1,570. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.
| Court listed | Minnesota District Court, First Judicial District - Conciliation Court |
|---|---|
| City | Hastings |
| Statewide filing fee | $80 filing fee, including the county law-library fee |
| E-filing | Yes, see filing page |
| Small claims limit | $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only) |
| State deposit return deadline |
|
| Time limit to sue | 6 years |
| Deposit statute | Minn. Stat. § 504B.178 |
Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.
Details
Limits: $20,000 (conciliation court (statewide) only).
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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.
Court listed for this county: Minnesota District Court, First Judicial District - Conciliation Court. Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.
Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.
Who do you name in the claim?
Find and compare the legal names
Find and compare the legal names in these records:
- The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
- The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
- The owner of record in the property records of Dakota County.
- The Minnesota business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. Minnesota Secretary of State (check the link; report an error if it is wrong)
A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.
What to bring to the clerk
- Your lease.
- Deposit receipt or payment record.
- The demand letter and proof of delivery.
- Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.
Check the Minnesota filing procedure before you go.
Service methods: certified mail by clerk.
Procedure source (medium confidence): 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.
Is it worth filing here?
Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Dakota County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.
| Bedrooms | Deposit owed | Statutory amount | Total illustration | Limit check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,249 | Formula requires case facts | Check the formula | Check the applicable limit and remedy |
| 2 | $1,570 | Formula requires case facts | Check the formula | Check the applicable limit and remedy |
| 3 | $1,772 | Formula requires case facts | Check the formula | Check the applicable limit and remedy |
| 4 | $2,081 | Formula requires case facts | Check the formula | Check the applicable limit and remedy |
At 1 bedrooms, the statewide filing fee of $80 is about 6% of the illustrated deposit. Filing costs for other claim sizes may differ.
At 2 bedrooms, the statewide filing fee of $80 is about 5% of the illustrated deposit. Filing costs for other claim sizes may differ.
At 3 bedrooms, the statewide filing fee of $80 is about 5% of the illustrated deposit. Filing costs for other claim sizes may differ.
At 4 bedrooms, the statewide filing fee of $80 is about 4% of the illustrated deposit. Filing costs for other claim sizes may differ.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.
How does Dakota County compare with other Minnesota counties?
The two-bedroom median gross rent is $1,570: rank 3 of 87 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 24.6% of households rent in Dakota County.
| County | Median gross rent |
|---|---|
| Washington County | $1,627 |
| Hennepin County | $1,609 |
| Dakota County | $1,570 |
| Carver County | $1,559 |
| Scott County | $1,473 |
| Anoka County | $1,412 |
Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 87 of 87 listed counties. Census source.
Places in Dakota County
- Apple Valley
- Burnsville
- Coates
- Eagan
- Farmington
- Hampton
- Hastings
- Inver Grove Heights
- Lakeville
- Lilydale
- Mendota
- Mendota Heights
- Miesville
- New Trier
- Northfield
- Randolph
- Rosemount
- South St. Paul
- Sunfish Lake
- Vermillion
- West St. Paul
These are Census places in the county. Check the rental's address with the clerk to find the court.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file
Free legal help
- Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services: free legal help for eligible clients, including landlord/tenant issues such as eviction, rent increase, utility shut-off, security deposit, repairs, housing discrimination, and housing subsidies
- Justice North: free civil legal help for people facing loss of housing or other civil legal challenges; Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota merged into Justice North
- HOME Line: free legal help for Minnesota renters, including a tenant hotline on evictions, repairs, deposits, and other landlord-tenant problems
- Anishinabe Legal Services: free civil legal help for low-income people living on or near the Leech Lake, Red Lake, and White Earth Reservations, including evictions from tribal/public housing and lease-violation cases
FAQ
How much does it cost to file in Dakota County?
Statewide filing fee: $80 filing fee, including the county law-library fee.
Where do I file a deposit claim in Dakota County?
Minnesota District Court, First Judicial District - Conciliation Court is listed. Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk. Court page
Who should I name in the claim?
Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
What should I bring to the clerk?
Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.