Landlord Won't Make Repairs in Minnesota: What Can I Do?
Minnesota law sets rules for what your landlord must keep in working order. This page explains what your landlord must fix, how to ask, and what you can do if nothing happens. Some cities add stricter rules. Check your city's guide.
-
Your landlord must keep your home fit to live in. Your landlord must also keep your home in reasonable repair. This does not apply if you, or someone you let in, damaged it on purpose, out of spite, or through carelessness.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
Your landlord must keep your home following health and safety rules from the city, county, state, and federal government, including rental license rules. This does not apply if you, or someone you let in, caused the problem on purpose, out of spite, or through carelessness.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
Your landlord cannot get out of the duty to keep your home fit to live in and follow health and safety rules. You cannot give up this right either, even if your lease says something different.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
You can ask the local government agency in charge of code rules to inspect your home for problems. A housing-related neighborhood organization (a nonprofit working on housing issues in your area) can also ask. It needs your written permission, unless the building is empty, then it can ask on its own.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
After the inspection, the inspector must tell you and your landlord in writing about any code problems found. Your landlord then gets a reasonable amount of time to fix them.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
Some problems are not found through a code inspection. These include your landlord breaking this law, discrimination, rules for subsidized housing (housing the government helps pay for), or breaking your lease. For these, you must give your landlord written notice describing the problem. Deliver it in person or send it where you normally pay rent.
Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes 504B.385, subd. 1(c) Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes 504B.001, subd. 14✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
For a problem found by a code inspection, you must first let the repair time pass without the problem being fixed. Only then can you deposit rent with the court. You can skip the wait only if you believe the time given was too long.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
If your landlord misses the time given to fix a problem, you can use rent escrow (paying rent to the court, not your landlord). While the problem is not fixed, you must keep depositing rent with the court as it becomes due. You cannot simply stop paying rent on your own. If your landlord says you did not deposit the full amount, your landlord can ask the court for possession of your home. This is heard in the same case.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
A housing-related neighborhood organization (a nonprofit that works on housing issues in your area) may bring an action in district court. It can only do this for a code violation, or another violation of this landlord-tenant law. It usually needs your written permission, though in some cases it can act on its own. A state, county, or local code enforcement agency can start it too.
Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes 504B.001, subd. 14 Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes 504B.395, subd. 1✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
If the court finds a problem exists, it can order you to fix it and subtract the cost from your rent. The court sets the terms.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
If you win a court case about repairs, the judge can order your landlord to fix the problem. The judge only does this if satisfied the fix will happen quickly. The judge can instead lower your rent for the time the problem was not fixed.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
If you win your case, the court can order your landlord to pay up to $500 of your lawyer's fees. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
Your landlord cannot evict you, raise your lease duties, or cut services as punishment for your complaint about a problem.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
If your landlord evicts you, raises your lease duties, or cuts services within 90 days of your complaint, the law assumes it was punishment. Your landlord must then prove otherwise, unless the court decides you did not complain honestly. After 90 days, you must prove it was punishment.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
Is something on this page wrong or out of date? Tell us.