Minnesota Rent Increase Laws

Last Updated: January 7, 2024 by Jessica Menefee

Does Minnesota Have Rent Control Laws?

Minnesota does not have statewide rent control laws limiting the amount that landlords may ask for rent. However, state law allows local governments to establish local rent control laws as long as they are approved through a general election [1].

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When Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Minnesota?

Landlords in Minnesota can raise the rent at any time, as long as they comply with the following:

• Wait until the end of the lease term (unless otherwise specified in the lease)
• Aren’t raising rent for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons
• Don’t break any local rent control laws
• Give reasonable notice

When Can’t a Landlord Raise Rent in Minnesota?

Landlords in Minnesota may not raise the rent if:

• It is during the middle of a lease’s fixed term (unless stated otherwise in the lease agreement).
• The increase is applied in a way that discriminates against one of the protected classes specified in the Fair Housing Act.
• The increase is higher than what’s allowed under local rent control laws.
• It is done in response to a protected tenant action, such as filing a complaint. This is known as “retaliation” [2].

How Often Can Rent Be Increased in Minnesota?

By state law, landlords in Minnesota can increase the rent as often as they wish, as long as sufficient notice is provided each time, except for mobile homes. Landlords of mobile home spaces can only increase the rent twice per year [3].

How Much Notice is Needed to Raise Rent in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, the notice period required to increase rent is equal to the frequency of rent payments (but no more than 3 months), unless stated otherwise in the lease agreement [4]. For example, if a tenant pays rent monthly, they must be given 1 month’s notice before increasing rent.

However, landlords must give mobile home residents 60 days’ notice before increasing rent [5].

The notice period starts on the day the tenant receives the notice. Landlords that send notices by mail should provide additional time for delivery when calculating advanced notice for rent increases.

How Much Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Minnesota?

By state law, landlords can raise the rent by any amount. There is no statewide limit or cap on the amount of a rent increase. However, cities and counties can establish local rent control laws.

For example, Minneapolis and St. Paul each have local rent control as follows:

• Minneapolis – In 2021, the citizens of Minneapolis voted to authorize the City Council to establish rent control. The City Council formed a Rent Stabilization Work Group.
• St. Paul – Rent increases are limited to 3% [6], for new or existing tenants, with exceptions. Landlords can request a Rent Increase Exception to exceed the limit.