LOCAL RULES

Minnesota rental inspection report requirements

Your Minnesota rental inspection report has 3 rules to meet. ReportDraft puts every one on your checklist and checks your draft before you sign.

  • Notice of the tenant's option to request an initial inspection, within 14 days
  • Written notice of the option to request a move-out inspection
  • The three-week return or written statement of specific reasons
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Under a 2023 law, Minnesota requires landlords to offer inspections at both ends of a tenancy: an initial inspection the tenant may request at move-in, and a move-out inspection before they leave so they can fix problems. Skipping the notices costs a penalty on the deposit. Here is each rule with a link to the Minnesota Statutes, and how walkthrough notes become the reports that go with them.

Last reviewed October 10, 2026 against the official sources listed below.

Rental inspectionMINNESOTA / SAMPLE

Sample notes, 88 words

Move-in inspection
Address: 22 Cedar Court, Unit 4B, Saint Paul, MN
Date: 2026-09-30
Landlord: Pinecrest Property Management
Tenant: Jordan Lee and Priya Raman
...
FREE PREVIEW OF THESE NOTES
73%of your draft is ready from these notes

We sorted 13 items into 6 sections and flagged 5 to fix soon.

  • Fix soonLiving and dining areas

    Carpet has a stain near the sofa wall.

  • Fix soonKitchen

    Dishwasher not working.

  • Fix soonKitchen

    Counter chipped near the sink.

3 Minnesota rules on your checklist, including notice of the tenant's option to request an initial inspection, within 14 days.

Still to add

  • RecommendedNotes for entry and hallways
  • RecommendedNotes for laundry and utility

Filled in for you

Inspection typeMove-in
Rental unit address22 Cedar Court, Unit 4B, Saint Paul, MN
Inspection dateSep 30, 2026
Landlord or property managerPinecrest Property Management
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What Minnesota requires

  • At the start of a tenancy, or within 14 days after the tenant occupies the unit, the landlord tells the tenant they may request an initial inspection to identify existing deficiencies so they are not deducted from the deposit later; a requested inspection is scheduled at a mutually acceptable date and timeMinn. Stat. s. 504B.182, subd. 1 (a)
  • Instead of an initial or move-out inspection, where the tenant agrees, the landlord may give the tenant written acknowledgment of photos or videos of the unit and agree on its condition at the start or end of the tenancyMinn. Stat. s. 504B.182, subd. 1 (b)
  • Within a reasonable time after either side gives notice to end the tenancy, or before the lease term ends, the landlord tells the tenant in writing of their option to request a move-out inspection and their right to be presentMinn. Stat. s. 504B.182, subd. 2
  • On the tenant's request, the landlord or agent makes the move-out inspection at a reasonable time no earlier than five days before the tenancy ends or the tenant plans to vacate, so the tenant can remedy identified deficiencies and avoid deductions; if the tenant does not request one, the landlord's duty is dischargedMinn. Stat. s. 504B.182, subd. 2
  • A lease term waiving these inspection rights is void, apart from the tenant simply choosing not to request an inspectionMinn. Stat. s. 504B.182, subd. 4
  • A landlord who does not give the inspection notices, or does not carry out a requested initial or move-out inspection, owes the tenant a penalty equal to the part of the deposit withheld plus interest, on top of returning what was wrongly withheldMinn. Stat. s. 504B.178, subd. 4 (4)
  • Within three weeks after the tenancy ends, and after receiving the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions, the landlord returns the deposit with interest or gives a written statement showing the specific reason for withholding any of itMinn. Stat. s. 504B.178, subd. 3 (a)
  • The landlord may withhold only amounts reasonably necessary to cover rent or other money due under an agreement, or to restore the premises to their condition at the start of the tenancy, ordinary wear and tear excepted; in a dispute the landlord must prove the reasonMinn. Stat. s. 504B.178, subd. 3 (b) and (c)
  • Bad-faith retention adds punitive damages of up to 500 dollars per deposit, and retention is presumed to be in bad faith if the landlord missed the three-week rule and does not return the deposit within two weeks after a suit beginsMinn. Stat. s. 504B.178, subd. 7

The initial inspection

At the start of a tenancy, or within 14 days after the tenant moves in, the landlord tells the tenant they may request an initial inspection to identify existing deficiencies, so those deficiencies are not deducted from the deposit later. A requested inspection is scheduled at a time that works for both.

There is an alternative when the tenant agrees: the landlord gives written acknowledgment of photos or videos of the unit, and both agree on its condition. A move-in report with photos and a signed acknowledgment does exactly that.

The move-out inspection

Within a reasonable time after either side gives notice to end the tenancy, or before the lease term ends, the landlord tells the tenant in writing that they may request a move-out inspection and be present for it. If the tenant asks, the inspection takes place at a reasonable time no earlier than five days before the tenancy ends or the tenant plans to leave.

Its purpose is to let the tenant remedy identified deficiencies and avoid deductions. If the tenant does not ask for one, the landlord's duty is discharged, and a lease clause waiving these rights is void.

Three weeks, and the penalties

Within three weeks after the tenancy ends, and once the landlord has the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions, the landlord returns the deposit with interest or gives a written statement showing the specific reason for withholding any of it. Deductions cover only money due and restoring the premises to their condition at the start of the tenancy, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and in a dispute the landlord must prove the reason.

Missing the inspection notices or a requested inspection costs a penalty equal to the part of the deposit withheld plus interest. Bad-faith retention can add punitive damages of up to 500 dollars per deposit.

From walkthrough notes to finished Minnesota reports

Choose Move-in, Pre-move-out inspection or Move-out and add your notes and photos. ReportDraft writes a room-by-room report with existing deficiencies described specifically and a condition acknowledgment for both sides to sign, the photo-and-agreement alternative the statute allows.

A pre-move-out report adds a table of deficiencies the tenant may remedy before leaving, so the tenant knows exactly what to fix.

Common mistakes

  • Not telling the tenant within 14 days that they may request an initial inspection.
  • Not giving written notice of the option to request a move-out inspection.
  • Inspecting earlier than five days before the tenancy ends.
  • Relying on a lease clause that waives the inspections, which is void.
  • Sending the written statement after three weeks, or without specific reasons.

Sources

Last reviewed October 10, 2026. Next review due January 10, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.