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Minnesota security deposit law
Short answer: A Minnesota landlord has three weeks after the tenancy ends (once the tenant gives a mailing address) to return the deposit with 1% interest, or send a written statement of the specific reasons for keeping any of it. State law sets no limit on the deposit amount.
| Deadline to return the deposit | Three weeks (21 days) after the tenancy ends and the landlord has the tenant's mailing address. Five days if the tenant had to leave because the building was condemned through no fault of the tenant. |
|---|---|
| Limit on how much a landlord can charge | No limit in state law. |
| Itemized list of deductions | Yes. The landlord must give a written statement showing the specific reason for withholding any part of the deposit. |
| Interest on the deposit | Yes: 1% simple interest a year (amounts under $1 are excluded). |
| Penalty if the landlord breaks the rules | A landlord who misses the deadline (or skips the required inspections) owes the amount withheld plus interest, plus the same amount again as a penalty. Bad-faith retention adds up to $500 in punitive damages per deposit, and bad faith is presumed if the landlord doesn't return the deposit within two weeks after a lawsuit is filed. |
| What the tenant has to do | Give the landlord your mailing address or delivery instructions; the deadline doesn't start until you do. Don't hold back your last month's rent and tell the landlord to keep the deposit. |
| The law | Minnesota Statutes Section 504B.178 |
Official law: Minnesota Statutes Section 504B.178. Checked against the statute on 2026-11-04.
Good to know
- Deductions are limited to unpaid rent or other money owed under the lease, and restoring the unit to move-in condition minus ordinary wear and tear.
- The landlord has the burden of proving the reason for anything kept.
- Minnesota requires landlords to give notice of, and when asked complete, an initial inspection and a move-out inspection (Section 504B.182).
Tips for landlords
- Do a written move-in inspection and have the tenant sign it. Take dated photos of every room, including inside appliances and closets.
- Collect the tenant's forwarding address in writing at move-out.
- Put the itemized list and the refund in the mail well before the deadline, and keep proof of mailing.
- Normal wear and tear (faded paint, light carpet wear, small nail holes) usually can't be charged. Damage beyond that can.
Tips for tenants
- Take your own dated photos and video on move-in day and move-out day.
- Give your landlord your forwarding address in writing, and keep a copy.
- If the deadline passes, send a written demand letter that cites the law above before going to small claims court.
Common questions
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Minnesota?
Three weeks (21 days) after the tenancy ends and the landlord has the tenant's mailing address. Five days if the tenant had to leave because the building was condemned through no fault of the tenant.
Is there a limit on security deposits in Minnesota?
No limit in state law.
Does a landlord in Minnesota have to itemize deductions?
Yes. The landlord must give a written statement showing the specific reason for withholding any part of the deposit.