Minnesota Security Deposit Demand Letter
In Minnesota, a landlord has 21 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions (as of 2026; source: Minn. Stat. §504B.178). This letter cites that deadline, states the amount and your forwarding address, and gives the landlord a date to respond before you file. Free, no signup.
Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
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Minnesota deposit rules at a glance
- Return deadline
- 21 days after move-out
- Deposit cap
- No statutory limit
As of 2026. Source: Minn. Stat. §504B.178 ↗. Want the exact due date? Use the deposit return calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Minnesota landlord have to return the deposit?
21 days after you move out, as of 2026 (source: Minn. Stat. §504B.178). Counted in calendar days; check the statute for whether the clock starts at move-out, lease end, or receipt of your forwarding address, and whether a weekend deadline rolls over. Use the deposit return calculator to get the exact date.
Is there a limit on how much deposit a Minnesota landlord can charge?
Minnesota sets no statutory cap on the security deposit (as of 2026; source: Minn. Stat. §504B.178), so the amount is whatever the lease says. The return deadline still applies to the full amount.
How much can I sue for in Minnesota if the landlord ignores this?
$20,000 since August 1, 2024 (raised from $15,000) — one of the highest small claims caps in the country. Claims involving a consumer credit transaction are capped separately at $4,000 (Minn. Stat. § 491A.01, subd. 3a). The court is the Conciliation Court (a division of the District Court), and the filing fee is $65 statutory filing fee (Minn. Stat. § 357.022) plus county law-library and other surcharges — commonly ~$75-$95 total, varies by county.. As of 2026; source: Minn. Stat. § 491A.01; Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 512 (representation).
Do I need a lawyer in Minnesota small claims?
Attorneys are Allowed — Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 512(d): parties may be represented by a Minnesota-licensed lawyer, who participates at the judge's discretion. Corporations may appear through officers or employees.. Source: Minn. Stat. § 491A.01; Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 512 (representation) (as of 2026).
Deposit rules in every state, cited to statute: security deposit limits by state.
How Minnesota compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for Minnesota: Minn. Stat. §504B.178 ↗.
- Deposit return deadline
Deposit return deadline: 21 days — below the national median of 30 days across the 51 states with a statutory rule.
Ranked #39 of 51 states (tied with 3) — higher means more time for the landlord to return the deposit.
3 other states use the same figure.
Deposit return deadline in neighboring states — Iowa (30 days), North Dakota (30 days), South Dakota (14 days), Wisconsin (21 days).
The rest of what Minnesota requires
The figures below are Minnesota's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full Minnesota page for that document.
- Security deposit cap · as of 2026
- No statutory limit Minn. Stat. §504B.178 ↗
- Deposit return deadline · as of 2026
- 21 days after move-out Minn. Stat. §504B.178 ↗
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026
- 30 days Minn. Stat. §504B.178 ↗
- Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026
- 14 days to pay or quit Minn. Stat. §§ 504B.321 subd. 1a, 504B.135 ↗
- Small claims limit · as of 2026
- $20,000 Minn. Stat. § 491A.01; Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 512 (representation) ↗
- Where you file · as of 2026
- Conciliation Court (a division of the District Court) · filing fee $65 statutory filing fee (Minn. Stat. § 357.022) plus county law-library and other surcharges — commonly ~$75-$95 total, varies by county. Minn. Stat. § 491A.01; Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 512 (representation) ↗
- Rental application fee · as of July 2026
- No statutory limit Minnesota Revisor ↗
- Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026
- Not required Minnesota DVS / DMV.ORG ↗
- Power of attorney signing · as of 2026
- Notarization required Minn. Stat. §523.23 ↗
- LLC operating agreement · as of 2026
- Not required by statute, but it controls over the default rules Minn. Stat. § 322C.0102, subd. 17 (definition); § 322C.0110 (scope/function) ↗
- Recording a deed · as of 2026
- County Recorder (abstract land); Registrar of Titles for registered/Torrens land · no witnesses Minn. Stat. § 507.24 ↗
Security deposit demand letter in other states
More Minnesota legal forms
Different state? See security deposit demand letters by state →