LOCAL RULES

Minnesota security deposit statement requirements

Your Minnesota security deposit statement has one rule to meet. ReportDraft puts it on your checklist and checks your draft before you sign.

  • The three-week return or written statement of specific reasons
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Minnesota gives a landlord three weeks after the tenancy ends, once the tenant's mailing address is in hand, to return the deposit with interest or give a written statement of the specific reasons for keeping any of it.

Last reviewed October 23, 2026 against the official sources listed below.

Security deposit statementMINNESOTA / SAMPLE

Sample notes, 124 words

Move-out statement
Rental unit: 410 Maple Avenue, Apt 3, Saint Paul, MN
Landlord: Pinecrest Property Management
Tenants: Jordan Lee and Priya Raman
Moved out Oct 31, 2026, keys returned. Lease ended Oct 31, 2026.
...
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We found 4 deductions totaling $577.40: refund due to the tenant $1,222.60.

1 Minnesota rule on your checklist, including the three-week return or written statement of specific reasons.

Still to add

  • RecommendedNotes for move-out condition
  • RecommendedNotes for refund and questions

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Landlord or property managerPinecrest Property Management
Tenant namesJordan Lee and Priya Raman
Rental unit address410 Maple Avenue, Apt 3, Saint Paul, MN
Tenant's forwarding address88 Elm Street, Nampa, ID 83651
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What Minnesota requires

  • 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
  • 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)
  • 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

Three weeks, with interest

Within three weeks after the tenancy ends, and after receiving the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions, return the deposit with interest or give a written statement showing the specific reason for withholding any of it.

What may be withheld

Only amounts reasonably necessary to cover rent or other money due under an agreement, or to restore the unit to its condition at the start of the tenancy, ordinary wear and tear excepted. In a dispute the landlord must prove the reason.

Inspections the tenant can ask for

On the tenant's request, the landlord makes a move-out inspection no earlier than five days before the tenancy ends, so the tenant can fix what is found. Not giving the inspection notices, or not carrying out a requested inspection, costs a penalty equal to the part of the deposit withheld plus interest, on top of returning what was wrongly kept.

Bad faith

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 begins.

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting the interest owed with the deposit.
  • Giving reasons that are not specific.
  • Skipping a move-out inspection the tenant asked for.
  • Starting the three weeks before you have the tenant's mailing address in writing.

Sources

Last reviewed October 23, 2026. Next review due January 23, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.