Maximum deposit: 1 month rent. Return deadline: 21 days. Everything landlords and tenants need to know about Minnesota security deposit law.
Last updated: April 2026 · Data: IRS, BLS, state sources
| Rule | Minnesota Law |
|---|---|
| Maximum Deposit | 1 month rent |
| Return Deadline | 21 days |
| Interest Required | Required if held over 1 year (at bank savings rate) |
| Penalty for Violations | Punitive damages up to $500 plus attorney fees |
| Normal Wear and Tear | Cannot be deducted |
Minnesota limits security deposits to 1 month rent. Charging more than this amount is a violation of state law and may entitle the tenant to damages.
Itemized statement required
Regardless of the deposit amount, landlords must follow the correct procedures for holding, itemizing, and returning the deposit. Failure to follow these procedures can result in the landlord forfeiting the right to make deductions and owing penalties to the tenant.
After a tenant moves out, Minnesota landlords have 21 days to either return the full security deposit or provide an itemized list of deductions along with any remaining balance. The clock typically starts on the date of move-out or the date the tenant provides a forwarding address, whichever is later.
If the landlord misses this deadline, the consequences can be severe: punitive damages up to $500 plus attorney fees. Tenants should document their move-out with photos, return keys promptly, and provide a written forwarding address to establish the start of the deadline clearly.
Landlords in Minnesota may deduct from the security deposit for:
Landlords cannot deduct for:
Document the unit's condition at move-in with a written checklist and photos signed by both parties. This documentation is critical in any deposit dispute.
Required if held over 1 year (at bank savings rate). Minnesota requires landlords to pay interest on security deposits under certain conditions. Make sure to track interest accrued and include it with the deposit return within the required timeframe.
If your landlord fails to return your deposit or provide an itemized statement within 21 days, you may be entitled to: punitive damages up to $500 plus attorney fees.
Steps to take if your landlord violates Minnesota security deposit law:
Calculate your security deposit maximum, estimate any interest owed, and determine the exact return deadline based on your Minnesota move-out date.
Open Minnesota Security Deposit CalculatorMinnesota limits security deposits to 1 month rent. Itemized statement required
Minnesota landlords have 21 days after move-out to return the deposit or provide an itemized statement of deductions. If the landlord misses this deadline: punitive damages up to $500 plus attorney fees.
Normal wear and tear in Minnesota refers to the expected deterioration from ordinary residential use: minor scuffs on walls, small nail holes from hanging pictures, faded paint, and worn carpet from foot traffic. Landlords cannot deduct for these. They can deduct for actual damage such as large holes in walls, broken fixtures, deep carpet stains, or damage caused by pets, negligence, or misuse.