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Eviction rules depend on the state. Which state is the rental in?

Minnesota eviction laws

Notices, deadlines, court and tenant rights in Minnesota — in plain English.

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Overview

The court case
Eviction action
Court
Minnesota District Court (Housing Court in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties)
Main laws
Minn. Stat. ch. 504B (notices: 504B.135, 504B.285, 504B.321 subd. 1a; illegal activity 504B.171)

Just-cause protection

No statewide law

Minnesota has no statewide just-cause rule. A periodic tenancy can be ended without a reason with proper notice, but not in retaliation. Minneapolis and St. Paul add local notice rules. (Minn. Stat. 504B.135, 504B.285)

Notices before filing, by reason

What a landlord must serve before filing — and what a tenant should expect to receive.

Unpaid rent — 14-Day Notice (Written Notice of Possible Future Eviction Action)

Before filing for unpaid rent or other money owed, the landlord must give a written 14-day notice listing the amount due. If the tenant pays everything owed (or moves out) within 14 days, the landlord cannot file. Even after filing, the tenant can usually stop the eviction by paying all rent, fees and costs before the hearing ('redemption').

14-Day Notice (Written Notice of Possible Future Eviction Action)

Notice period
14 days
Counting
14 calendar days from the date the notice is delivered or mailed. If a city ordinance requires a longer pre-filing notice, the longer period applies.
Tenant can fix it?
Yes, within the notice period
Must include
  • The total amount due
  • A specific accounting of the amount due from unpaid rent, late fees, and other charges under the lease
  • Name and address of the person authorized to receive rent and fees for the landlord
  • The statutory statement about legal aid (e.g., Minnesota legal aid contact information)
  • The statutory statement about emergency financial assistance (e.g., contacting county or 211)
  • The statement: "Your landlord can file an eviction case if you do not pay the total amount due or move out within 14 days from the date of this notice."
How to serve
Hand it to the tenant in person; First-class mail. Deliver the notice personally to the tenant, or mail it by first-class mail to the tenant at the rental unit address. Keep a copy and note the date.
Official form
Minnesota Judicial Branch form HOU121, Written Notice of Possible Future Eviction Action
Law
Minn. Stat. 504B.321 subd. 1a
  • Double-check with the court: Minneapolis requires a 30-day pre-filing notice for nonpayment since March 1, 2025 (city ordinance); use the longer period there.
  • St. Paul: pre-filing notice extended to 60 days for filings from May 14, 2026 through December 31, 2026, then reverts to 30 days (Ordinance 26-18). VERIFY current period.
  • The complaint must attach a copy of the notice and state how it was delivered.
The tenant broke the lease or rules — no notice required

For a lease violation other than nonpayment, Minnesota law does not require a notice before filing unless the lease requires one. The lease must allow eviction for the breach. Check the lease carefully.

  • If the lease requires notice or an opportunity to cure, that must be followed first.
  • Public/subsidized housing and some local rules (e.g., St. Paul) require written notice. VERIFY local rules.
The lease ended and the tenant stayed — no notice required

When a fixed-term lease ends on its date, no notice is required unless the lease requires one (many leases auto-renew or require notice). If the lease converts to month-to-month, the periodic termination notice applies.

  • Many Minnesota leases say they continue month-to-month unless notice is given; read the lease.
  • St. Paul tenant protections require advance notice of non-renewal in some cases. VERIFY local ordinance.
Ending a month-to-month tenancy (no fault) — Notice to Terminate Tenancy (Notice to Vacate)

A month-to-month tenancy can be ended without a reason by written notice given at least one full rental period before the end date (the notice must be received before the last day of the month to end at the end of the next month).

Notice to Terminate Tenancy (Notice to Vacate)

Notice period
30 days (week-to-week: 7 days, month-to-month: 30 days)
Counting
Notice must be given at least one full rental period (plus one day) before the end date. For month-to-month, deliver it before the last day of a month to end the tenancy at the end of the following month.
Tenant can fix it?
No
Must include
  • Tenant name(s) and property address
  • Statement that the tenancy terminates and the date (the last day of a rental period)
  • Landlord signature and date
How to serve
Hand it to the tenant in person; Leave it with an adult who lives there (and mail a copy if required); First-class mail. Deliver in writing to the tenant personally, leave it with a person of suitable age at the unit, or mail it. Keep proof. Double-check with the court: follow any service method in the lease.
Law
Minn. Stat. 504B.135
  • St. Paul and Minneapolis may require longer notice or reasons in some situations. VERIFY local ordinance.
Illegal activity, violence or serious damage — no notice required

Every Minnesota lease includes a promise not to allow illegal drugs, prostitution, stolen property, or illegal weapons on the premises. Breaking it lets the landlord file an eviction (it can be expedited) without prior notice.

  • Expedited hearings (504B.321 subd. 2) may be available when the tenant is causing a nuisance or serious danger.
  • Tenants have defenses if they did not know of and could not have prevented the activity.

How a tenant responds

The summons sets the first hearing 7 to 14 days after it is issued and must be served at least 7 days before the hearing. No written answer is required; the tenant may answer orally at the first hearing or file a written answer. Missing the first hearing usually results in a default judgment.

Deadline: at the hearing (no fixed written-answer deadline) · Form: Minnesota Judicial Branch form: Eviction Answer (HOU102). VERIFY form number. · Minn. Stat. 504B.321, 504B.335

City and local rules

  • Minneapolis: 30-day pre-eviction notice for nonpayment (effective March 1, 2025), plus tenant disclosure requirements.
  • St. Paul: pre-eviction filing notice (30 days normally; 60 days from May 14 to December 31, 2026 under Ordinance 26-18); rent stabilization ordinance; tenant protections ordinance (advance notice for non-renewal, screening rules). VERIFY current ordinances.

Official court forms

Landlords

  • HOU121 — Written Notice of Possible Future Eviction Action
  • HOU102 — Eviction Action Complaint

Tenants

  • HOU202 — Eviction Action Answer

All Minnesota forms →

Sources

Checked 2026-09. General information, not legal advice; laws change and courts differ. We strive for accuracy but don’t guarantee it.