Not legal advice. This is a free reference compiled from official government sources. Laws change and local details matter. Confirm every deadline with the official source or a licensed attorney before you rely on it.
Deposit limits (one month's rent; half a month if other upfront costs are charged) and a 21-day refund with copies of the state and city deposit laws Verified
Deadline: Within 21 days after move-out
Charge no more than one month's rent as a deposit, or 50% of one month's rent (payable over three months) if you also collect other upfront costs such as last month's rent. Within 21 days of move-out, return the deposit with interest or mail a letter explaining what is kept, and include copies of Minn. Stat. 504B.178 and Minneapolis Code 244.2040.
Who it covers: Referral by a government agency or nonprofit: up to one and a half months' rent. Security deposit with other upfront costs must be payable over three months.
"When a property owner returns your security deposit, they must include a copy of these two regulations:" minneapolismn.gov
"Minnesota Statutes 504B.178 ... Minneapolis Code of Ordinances 244.2040" minneapolismn.gov
"Within 21 days of moving out, your rental property owners must:" minneapolismn.gov
"If you are asked only to pay a security deposit, the most you can be charged is: ... One month's rent" minneapolismn.gov
"Can only be 50 percent of one month's rent ... Must be payable over three months" minneapolismn.gov
Notes: Minneapolis rental security deposits page (updated July 13, 2026). Adds to Minnesota § 504B.178 (21 days = three weeks).
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
After buying a rental: apply for a rental license within 60 days of closing; inspection fee for a change of ownership or a conversion Verified
Deadline: Within 60 days after closing on the purchase of a rental property
When you buy a rental property, apply for a rental license within 60 days of closing or pay an administrative fee. A change of ownership triggers an inspection ($450), and a unit newly becoming a rental needs a conversion inspection ($1,000).
Who it covers: Change of ownership inspection: $450. Any unit that becomes a rental must have a conversion inspection: $1,000. Late application: administrative fee.
"When you buy a rental property, you must apply for a rental license within 60 days of closing. If you do not, the City charges an administrative fee." minneapolismn.gov
"If the owner changes, we must inspect the rental property. The fee for this inspection is $450." minneapolismn.gov
"Any unit that becomes a rental must be inspected. The fee for this inspection is $1,000." minneapolismn.gov
Notes: Minneapolis rental license fees page.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Rental license: every non-owner-occupied unit; renew by March 1 each year (25% late fee after March 15) Verified
Deadline: Every year by March 1
Every rental dwelling unit where the owner does not live needs a Minneapolis rental license. All licenses expire March 1; renewal fees are due March 1 each year, and renewals received after March 15 pay a 25% late fee.
Who it covers: Needed even when no rent is paid or a relative lives there, for vacant units advertised for rent, and for foreclosed property until redemption. Not needed for roommates in an owner-occupied home. Fees depend on tier: e.g. Tier 1 with 1-3 units is $98 per building plus $41 per unit. Licenses are not transferable.
"Every rental property in Minneapolis must have a license." minneapolismn.gov
"You need a rental license for any dwelling unit where the owner does not live in the unit." minneapolismn.gov
Notes: Minneapolis Code of Ordinances Ch. 244 (code text not snapshotted); Regulatory Services rental license pages.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Routine rental license inspection every 8 years (Tier 1), 5 years (Tier 2) or every year (Tier 3) Verified
Deadline: Every 8 years from the last routine inspection (every 5 years if Tier 2; 1 years if Tier 3)
The City assigns each rental building a tier based on code violations over the past two years; the tier sets how often the routine license inspection happens: Tier 1 every eight years, Tier 2 every five years, Tier 3 every year. The last inspection date is on the license.
"The tier is based on code violations we found at a property over the past two years. The tier determines how often a property has its rental license inspection." minneapolismn.gov
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Renter disclosures: before the lease is signed (owner/manager address, tier and violations, waste handling) and within 90 days after the lease starts (renter rights) Verified
Deadline: Within 90 days after the lease starts
Before the lease is signed, give the renter the name and physical address of a real person who can accept legal papers, the license tier and housing code violations, open violations and how garbage, recycling and organics are handled. Within 90 days after the lease starts, give the renter-rights disclosure.
Who it covers: Use the City's renter rights disclosure template. If the pre-lease disclosure is not given, the renter can end the lease with proper notice.
"Name and physical address of the property owner or manager where legal papers could be served." minneapolismn.gov
"Rental license tier status and related housing code violations." minneapolismn.gov
"Property owners must share certain information within 90 days after the lease starts." minneapolismn.gov
Notes: Minneapolis renter notifications page (Code of Ordinances Ch. 244 not snapshotted).
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction