Minneapolis requires 30 days' written notice before an eviction filing for unpaid rent and gives low-income renters a right to a lawyer.
Minneapolis by the numbers
| Measure | Figure | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024 estimate) | 428,579 | City of Minneapolis, down 0.3% since the 2020 census base. |
| Poverty rate, Hennepin County | 9.5% | Census SAIPE 2024 county estimate. |
| Median household income, Hennepin County | $95,372 | Census SAIPE 2024 county estimate. |
| Traffic deaths, Hennepin County, 2022 | 61 | 4.79 per 100,000 residents (countywide, not city only). NHTSA FARS. |
Right to a lawyer in eviction cases
The City says low-income renters in Minneapolis have a right to a lawyer in eviction cases. The City's renter rights page names two sources of free help: Hennepin County Adult Representation Services and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. The page does not say how income eligibility is decided, so ask the provider when you call.
Notice before an eviction for unpaid rent
- The owner must give written notice at least 30 days before starting the eviction process.
- The 30 days begin the day the notice is mailed or hand-delivered.
- The notice must list the fees due, the timeline for paying them and who to pay.
Retaliation and relocation help
It is illegal for an owner to retaliate against a renter for reporting a problem in the home. To report retaliation, contact 311 to reach a rental housing liaison. The City also describes relocation help, defined as three months' rent, that may apply if the City revokes or cancels the building's rental license, if a license application is denied or if an owner's code violation forces you to move.
What to do if you receive a notice
- Check the date the notice was mailed or delivered and count 30 days from that day.
- Confirm that it lists the fees, the payment timeline and who to pay.
- Contact one of the legal help providers above before the eviction is filed.
- Call 311 or 612-673-3000 (7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday) or email minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov for the City's renter resources.
Minnesota rules that also apply in Minneapolis
City rules sit on top of state law. In Minnesota, individuals can bring small claims of up to $20,000, the personal injury filing deadline is generally 6 years and landlords have about 3 weeks to return a security deposit. See the full Minnesota legal guide for statutes and notes.
| Small claims limit | $20,000 |
|---|---|
| Personal injury deadline | 6 years |
| Security deposit return | 3 weeks |
Related guides: how evictions work, security deposit rules, tenant repairs and habitability and how small claims court works.
Where to get help in Minneapolis
- Minneapolis 311: 311 or 612-673-3000, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday; minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov.
- Hennepin County Adult Representation Services (hennepin.us/adult-representation-services) and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (mylegalaid.org/get-help), as listed by the City.
- Legal Services Corporation: find a legal aid office
- LawHelp.org
Sources and how we checked
Local rules above were read on the official pages below on 2026-10-20. City rules change, so check the page before you act.
- City of Minneapolis: Renter rights
- Population: U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 estimates (SUB-EST2024).
- Poverty and income: Census Bureau SAIPE 2024 county estimates.
- Traffic deaths: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2022 data, summed by county.