Minnesota · Repairs · Updated Oct 2026

Minnesota tenant repair rights

What a landlord in Minnesota must keep in repair, how to ask for repairs, whether you can repair and deduct or withhold rent, and the protection against retaliation.

Short answer

The landlord must keep the home and common areas fit for their intended use and in reasonable repair (including pest extermination), follow health, safety and rental licensing laws, and provide heat of at least 68°F from October 1 to April 30.

Repair and deduct
Not allowed
Withholding rent
See the rule
Notice before entry
24 hours

Repairs in Minnesota

The landlord's duty
The landlord must keep the home and common areas fit for their intended use and in reasonable repair (including pest extermination), follow health, safety and rental licensing laws, and provide heat of at least 68°F from October 1 to April 30. These duties cannot be waived (Minn. Stat. §504B.161).
How to ask for repairs
Give written notice describing the problem, delivered personally or to where you pay rent. The landlord has 14 days before you can file rent escrow (or the inspector's deadline for code violations).
Repair and deduct
No general repair-and-deduct statute. A court in a rent escrow or tenant remedies action can authorize repairs and payment from escrowed rent; for some emergencies (like no heat or water) a court can order quick relief (§504B.381).
Withholding rent
Use rent escrow, not self-help. Give the landlord written notice of the problem; if not fixed within 14 days, deposit your rent with the court administrator with a simple affidavit (court form). For code violations, you can deposit after the inspector's repair deadline passes. While the case is pending, keep paying rent into court (Minn. Stat. §504B.385).
Law
Minn. Stat. §§504B.161, 504B.381, 504B.385

Landlord entry in Minnesota

At least 24 hours' notice (good-faith effort), for a reasonable business purpose, with a stated time or window, and only between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. unless you agree otherwise. You cannot be required to waive this. Entry without notice is allowed if the landlord reasonably suspects immediate entry is needed to prevent injury to people or property, among other listed emergencies (Minn. Stat. §504B.211).

Retaliation in Minnesota

A landlord may not evict you, raise your obligations or cut services as a penalty for your (or a neighborhood housing organization's) good-faith complaint of a violation. If the action comes within 90 days after the complaint, the landlord must prove it was not retaliation (Minn. Stat. §504B.441; also §504B.285).

Get repairs made, step by step

  1. Write down the problem and take dated photos or video.
  2. Ask in writing and keep a copy. In Minnesota: Give written notice describing the problem, delivered personally or to where you pay rent.
  3. Give the landlord the time the rule allows, and let them in to do the work with proper notice.
  4. If nothing happens, call your local housing or code inspector and talk to legal aid before you stop paying any rent.
  5. Keep paying rent unless the rule above lets you withhold it and you follow its steps exactly.

Repair request letter for Minnesota

Ask your landlord in writing to fix the problem by a date. A written, dated request is the first step in almost every state, and it is proof that the landlord knew. Check the problems, add dates, then download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it). Sign it, keep a copy and photos, and send it in a way you can prove.

Your letter is made in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us or anyone else.

The name on your lease or rent receipts.

What needs repair? (required)

Your state's rule on repair requests is shown below the form.

Minnesota's rule on asking for repairs:Give written notice describing the problem, delivered personally or to where you pay rent. The landlord has 14 days before you can file rent escrow (or the inspector's deadline for code violations).

Dates, rooms and how the problem affects you. This text goes into the letter as written.

Where to get free help in Minnesota

Questions about repairs in Minnesota

How do I ask my landlord for repairs in Minnesota?

Give written notice describing the problem, delivered personally or to where you pay rent. The landlord has 14 days before you can file rent escrow (or the inspector's deadline for code violations).

Can I repair and deduct the cost from rent in Minnesota?

No general repair-and-deduct statute. A court in a rent escrow or tenant remedies action can authorize repairs and payment from escrowed rent; for some emergencies (like no heat or water) a court can order quick relief (§504B.381).

Can I withhold rent for repairs in Minnesota?

Use rent escrow, not self-help. Give the landlord written notice of the problem; if not fixed within 14 days, deposit your rent with the court administrator with a simple affidavit (court form). For code violations, you can deposit after the inspector's repair deadline passes. While the case is pending, keep paying rent into court (Minn. Stat. §504B.385).

How much notice does a landlord need to enter in Minnesota?

At least 24 hours' notice (good-faith effort), for a reasonable business purpose, with a stated time or window, and only between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. unless you agree otherwise. You cannot be required to waive this. Entry without notice is allowed if the landlord reasonably suspects immediate entry is needed to prevent injury to people or property, among other listed emergencies (Minn. Stat. §504B.211).

Can my landlord retaliate if I complain in Minnesota?

A landlord may not evict you, raise your obligations or cut services as a penalty for your (or a neighborhood housing organization's) good-faith complaint of a violation. If the action comes within 90 days after the complaint, the landlord must prove it was not retaliation (Minn. Stat. §504B.441; also §504B.285).

More for Minnesota renters

Repairs in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.