Are you a property manager or landlord in Minnesota who’s having to consider evicting a tenant? If so, it’s never an entirely pleasant process, however, it is sometimes unavoidable - even if you’ve done your due diligence with a tenant background check. While you have many responsibilities as a landlord, tenant eviction ranks among the most challenging tasks and it’s important that you protect yourself by being up to date on Minnesota eviction laws.

So, if you’re a little fuzzy on the eviction process that applies in the Gopher State, we’re here to lend a helping hand. In this comprehensive article, we’ll be looking at all the important things that you need to know to protect your interests while staying firmly on the right side of the law.

What is the Eviction Process in Minnesota?

Essentially, according to Minnesota statute chapter 504B, an eviction (a.k.a. an eviction action) is a court proceeding in which a landlord seeks to regain possession of a rental property. So, for what legal reasons might a landlord look to evict one of their tenants? Here’s a rundown of the main causes. 

  • Non-payment of rent – One of the most common reasons is when the tenant in your rental property doesn’t pay rent as required by the lease agreement. 
  • Lease violations - The eviction process might also be instigated when your tenant violates the terms of their lease, which can be due to illegal activity such as:
  1. Damaging the property 
  2. Having unauthorized occupants
  3. Unpermitted subletting
  4. Excessive noise complaints. 
  • Lease expiration & holdover tenants – You may find yourself in a position where you need to start an eviction if the tenant refuses to leave after their lease has ended.
  • Failure to vacate after proper notice – On an occasion when you have a month-to-month tenant, you lawfully terminate the lease and they refuse to vacate, Minnesota eviction laws allow you to serve an eviction notice. 
  • Unsafe living conditions - This is perhaps not the most common of reasons, but it does happen. Should a tenant create health hazards or unsafe living conditions (e.g. by hoarding) you may choose to evict.

The first step in any eviction process is to provide the tenant with the proper legal eviction notice. Minnesota law requires different types of eviction notices depending on the reason for the eviction. These notices are explored in detail in the following section.

Pro Tip: Minnesota eviction laws cover a variety of reasons for an eviction action to move forward, but some require prior notice or legal action before filing. Always verify the grounds before proceeding.

Related: Iowa Eviction Laws Explained | Legal Guidelines

Minnesota Eviction Notice Types & Requirements 

So, you’ve decided to file an eviction action with your local housing court. At this point, it’s important to know that there are different types of eviction notices that apply in many cases (but not all). In this section, we shine a light on each kind for you to be aware of. 

  • Non-Payment of Rent (No Notice Required in Minnesota) - Unlike some other states, Minnesota law does not require a formal notice before filing for eviction due to non-payment. Some leases may include a grace period or notice requirement, but many don’t, meaning that often, landlords can immediately file for eviction once rent is overdue.
  • Notice to Comply or Quit (for Minor Lease Violations) – When your tenant violates their lease in the ways described in the last section, you may issue a notice demanding compliance. If the tenant then fails to fix the issue, eviction proceedings can start. 
  • Unconditional Quit Notices (for Severe Lease Breaches) – In cases of serious violations, such as illegal activity or endangering others, landlords can issue an unconditional quit notice requiring the tenant to vacate immediately without the opportunity to remedy the issue.

Any eviction notices you serve must be in writing and served personally to the tenant, left at the rental unit, or delivered via certified mail.

Pro Tip: While Minnesota eviction laws don’t mandate that eviction notices must be served, it is recommended that you provide them for tenants. Doing so will show you to be a reasonable landlord and it will strengthen your chances in court. 

How Long Does it Take to Evict Someone in Minnesota? 

What kind of timeline are you looking at for evictions in Minnesota? Well, that depends on a number of factors. Generally speaking, you can expect the eviction process to take anywhere between 2 weeks and 3 months. Let’s take a look at what might impact your timescale. 

  • Tenant Appeals - Should your tenant challenge the eviction judgment (which they’re legally permitted to do in housing court), it can add a considerable amount of time to the process - sometimes up to several months depending on the case specifics. 

What also may not help your attempts to reach a speedy conclusion is the fact that during any appeal, the eviction judgment is paused until it’s resolved. During this time, your tenant is permitted to stay in your rental property. 

  • Court Backlogs - Housing courts in Minnesota are often very busy, as they typically have to process 5,000 to 6,000 cases each year. As such, any backlogs that exist when you file your eviction action are going to slow you down. 
  • Sheriff Enforcement Delays - Even if you get a judgment in your favor and apply for a Writ of Recovery, your tenant may still refuse to leave. Given the fact that the County Sheriff’s office is the only one able to carry out the removal, it can take additional time if they’re in high demand. 

You can never be 100% sure about exactly how long the eviction process might take, so it’s important to be prepared for it. It can take as little as 2 weeks, as we’ve said, but don’t rely on it doing so, as it has the potential to take much longer. 

Pro Tip: If you want to minimize delays, you should be sure to file all paperwork correctly, respond quickly to court notices, and stay informed about local court and sheriff backlogs. A small mistake or missed deadline can add weeks or months to the eviction timeline.

Related: Navigating Illinois Eviction Laws | Legal Insights

What Do Landlords Need to Do and What Penalties Might They Face? 

While not every city in Minnesota offers the same protection such as rent control, the state has some robust rules in place to protect tenants. As such, when evicting a tenant, it’s essential to follow Minnesota statutes to avoid legal penalties, delays, or case dismissal.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a landlord is to attempt a self-help eviction, which is strictly prohibited under Minnesota law. This includes doing things like changing locks, shutting off utilities, or removing a tenant’s belongings without a court order. Violating this law can result in financial penalties, lawsuits, or even criminal charges.

Common Reasons Why Tenants Appeal Evictions

Even if you follow the proper eviction process in Minnesota, tenants have the right to appeal a court ruling. Some of the most common reasons include:

  • Improper eviction procedures – One of the most common is if you fail to follow court filing rules. It might seem like a small thing, but it could lead to the case being dismissed.
  • Retaliation claims - Your tenant may argue that you’re evicting them in retaliation to them rightfully making a complaint about the property.
  • Habitability issues – Also, if the tenant can prove that your rental property had serious repair issues and you failed to resolve them, the court may rule in their favor.
  • Discrimination allegations – If the tenant believes they are being evicted because of any kind of discrimination, such as because of their race, disability, or family status, they can challenge the eviction.

It’s worth reiterating that if your tenant files an appeal, the eviction process can drag on for months, delaying your ability to regain possession. That’s why you should never engage in any of these kinds of activities. Don’t do it. It’s just not worth it. 

Pro Tip: Minnesota law protects tenants from wrongful eviction, and landlords who violate these protections risk serious legal consequences. Doing the right thing is better for you and your tenant.

Exploring Eviction Laws Minnesota: Are There Alternative Solutions to Avoid Housing Court?

While evictions are sometimes unavoidable, they’re not always completely necessary. That’s because there are a number of different alternatives that both sides may find acceptable so you can side-step the time-consuming and often costly Minnesota eviction process.

Mediation: A Win-Win Solution

One potential option to consider is mediation. This gives landlords and tenants an opportunity to negotiate an agreement with the aid of a neutral third party. It gets communication going and in cases where the eviction is due to unpaid rent or minor lease violations, it is often a quicker and less expensive path. 

Cash for Keys: A Faster Alternative

Naturally, it’s in your interests as a landlord for the eviction to go smoothly and quickly, and you might want to give that outcome a better chance of occurring with a ‘Cash for Keys’ agreement whereby you pay the tenant to leave voluntarily, rather than filing an eviction action. It may sound counterintuitive, but it could save you thousands in legal fees, court costs and lost income from your rental property. Plus, it often works.

Payment Plans & Rental Assistance

In cases where your tenants are struggling to pay their rent, you can also consider putting together a structured payment plan or directing them to rental assistance support. Programs like Minnesota’s RentHelpMN may be able to offer financial aid to prevent eviction and keep your tenants housed.

Pro Tip: Always weigh the costs of eviction against the alternative solutions that might exist. A successful mediation or Cash for Keys deal can often resolve disputes faster and at a lower cost than legal action—protecting both your rental income and reputation.

Related: Kansas Evictions | Laws and Protections

TenantCloud - Making Life a Whole Lot Easier for Minnesota Landlords in 2025

Work in the real estate rental market in Minnesota for long enough and sooner or later you’re going to have to get involved in the eviction process. It’s never nice having to take this route, but when you do, the information we’ve provided you with here will ensure that you don’t add to the expense or time it takes by acting unfairly or unlawfully. 

At TenantCloud, our platform helps to take much of the legwork out of being a property management professional with an array of helpful features that make your life a whole lot easier. Whether talking about tenant screening, maintenance tracking or automated rent collection, we’ve got you covered.

So, if the idea of being better organized and less stressed appeals to you, we encourage you to take a look around our website, where you’ll find everything you need to know. Alternatively, to speak to one of our friendly experts, call 1-737-300-9331 today.