How many days does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Minnesota?

Minnesota law gives landlords 21 days to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions, under Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 3 (return), subd. 4 (damages), subd. 7 (bad faith); inspection duties at § 504B.182.

What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in Minnesota?

Under Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 3 (return), subd. 4 (damages), subd. 7 (bad faith); inspection duties at § 504B.182, allowed deductions generally include amounts reasonably necessary to remedy tenant defaults in payment of rent or other funds due under an agreement and amounts reasonably necessary to restore the premises to their condition at the commencement of the tenancy, ordinary wear and tear excepted. Normal wear and tear is not deductible.

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Minnesota security deposit law

Security Deposit Laws in Minnesota

Your landlord has 21 days under Minnesota law to return your security deposit, or you may be owed more than what they withheld. If they keep more than they're legally allowed, you can dispute it.

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When did you move out?

This is the one that matters. Your clock starts the day you handed back the keys — not the day your landlord replies.

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Minnesota security deposit return timeline

Deadline to return

21 days

Statute

Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 3 (return), subd. 4 (damages), subd. 7 (bad faith); inspection duties at § 504B.182

The statutory words are 'within THREE WEEKS after termination of the tenancy', not '21 days' — equivalent in length, but quote the statute's phrasing. CRITICAL: the period runs only from three weeks after termination AND after receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions; both conditions must be met, so a tenant who never supplied an address has not started the clock. DIFFERENT DEADLINE ON CONDEMNATION: where the tenant leaves because the building was legally condemned for reasons not due to the tenant's willful, malicious, or irresponsible conduct, the period is FIVE DAYS. Within the applicable period the landlord must return the deposit with interest or furnish a written statement showing the specific reason for withholding. Mailing rule: placing the deposit or statement in first-class mail, postage prepaid, properly addressed, within the period is sufficient compliance.

What can a landlord legally deduct in Minnesota?

Allowed

✓Amounts reasonably necessary to remedy tenant defaults in payment of rent or other funds due under an agreement
✓Amounts reasonably necessary to restore the premises to their condition at the commencement of the tenancy, ordinary wear and tear excepted

Not allowed

✗Ordinary wear and tear
✗Any amount beyond what is reasonably necessary for the two permitted categories

What if your landlord keeps your deposit wrongfully in Minnesota?

Two stacking remedies. (1) Subd. 4: a landlord who fails to provide the written statement in time, fails to transfer/return under subd. 5, OR fails to provide notice for and complete the initial and move-out inspections required by § 504B.182 when requested by the tenant, is liable for damages equal to the portion of the deposit withheld and interest thereon AS A PENALTY, IN ADDITION TO the portion wrongfully withheld and interest — functionally a 2x recovery. (2) Subd. 7: BAD-FAITH retention additionally subjects the landlord to PUNITIVE DAMAGES NOT TO EXCEED $500 per deposit. Bad faith is PRESUMED where the landlord failed to comply with subd. 3 or 5, unless the landlord returns the deposit within two weeks after commencement of a recovery action — invoke this presumption expressly. In any action concerning the deposit the LANDLORD bears the burden of proving the reason for withholding by a fair preponderance of the evidence. Deposit interest is simple, non-compounded, at 1% per annum.

How TenantNex helps

1. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
2. We generate a demand letter citing Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 3 (return), subd. 4 (damages), subd. 7 (bad faith); inspection duties at § 504B.182 and your exact deadline.
3. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.

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Minnesota tenant rights resources

HUD — tenant rights and resources
Find your state's consumer protection / Attorney General office
Key statute: Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 3 (return), subd. 4 (damages), subd. 7 (bad faith); inspection duties at § 504B.182 — verified against the official text on 2026-09-04.

Every fact on this page is verified against Minnesota's official statutory text as of 2026-09-04. TenantNex is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in Minnesota.

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Your money is due back

21 days

Minnesota law sets this deadline — your landlord must return your deposit or itemize deductions by then.

If they wrongfully withhold

up to 2× your deposit

Add your deposit amount above for the exact figure.

Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 3 (return), subd. 4 (damages), subd. 7 (bad faith); inspection duties at § 504B.182 — verified against the official statute 2026-09-04

Your 21 days started the day you moved out — that clock is running right now whether or not your landlord acts, and the 2× penalty only exists if you demanded it in writing before it closed.

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We don't stop at mailing it. If your landlord doesn't respond, we follow up at day 7 and day 14 — and help you build the evidence and paperwork for small claims if it comes to that. Real result: we helped Kathleen A. (Ohio) recover her full $3,000 deposit this way.

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Option	Price	Effort	Follow-up
Do it yourself	—	All of it	You chase
TenantNex	$39	Done for you	We chase
Small-claims services	$149–448	—	—
Hire an attorney	$300–2,000+	—	—

An attorney starts at $300. Filing services charge $149 for the letter alone. We prepare the whole claim for $39.

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We run your claim until you are paid — or you are ready to file.

Step 1 — certified demand letter citing your state statute, deadline and penalty
Mailed USPS Certified with return receipt, tracked to your landlord’s door
Step 2 — day-14 notice of intent to file, the one most landlords act on
Step 3 — your small-claims packet: the right form for your county, filled in
Where to file, what it costs, and how to serve your landlord
Evidence checklist, with your certified receipt as Exhibit A
Counter-response letter if your landlord disputes or underpays
Attorney referral if it is still unresolved after 21 days

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TenantNex is not a law firm. We prepare and send correspondence using publicly available state statutes. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or guarantee any outcome. For complex legal matters, consult a licensed attorney in your state.