Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 12 § 244.2040

Security deposits (Minneapolis Housing Code)

In Force
Verified 9/15/2026 · Next check 12/14/2026
MinneapolisHabitability & Repair

Operative Text

Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 12 § 244.2040
(a) Definitions . As used in this section, the following words shall mean:
Referral. Written documentation maintained by the landlord that the tenancy of the dwelling unit was coordinated with a non-profit service provider or government agency.
Security deposit. Security deposit has the meaning stated in Minnesota Statutes Section 504B.178.
Single month rent. For a lease in which rent is paid once each month in the same amount, single month rent means that amount. When a tenant's rent is supplemented by a rental subsidy, rent means the total contract rent for the dwelling unit. For a lease in which rent is paid once each period in the same amount but the period is not one (1) month, single month rent means that amount divided by the number of days in the period and then multiplied by thirty (30). For other leases, single month rent means the total amount of rent due under the anticipated length of the lease divided by the number of days in the anticipated length of the lease and then multiplied by thirty (30).
(b) Limit on security deposit amount . No landlord shall demand, charge, accept, or retain from a tenant more than a single month rent as a security deposit. Provided, however, if the lease or other agreement requires the tenant to pay before the tenancy starts or any time prior to the end of the first month of tenancy more than the first installment of rent plus the deposit, then the landlord shall not demand, charge, accept, or retain more than one-half (½) of a single month rent as a security deposit. In this situation, no landlord shall deny a tenant's request to pay the security deposit in installments over a period of up to three (3) months in installment amounts reasonably requested by the tenant. For dwelling units subject to a referral between the landlord and non-profit service provider or government agency, the maximum security deposit amount is limited to one and a half (1½) of a single month rent. Any security deposit furnished herein shall be governed by the provisions of Minnesota Statutes Section 504B.178, together with this section.
(c) Notice of rights . Contemporaneously with a landlord's obligation to return the deposit, transfer the deposit, or provide a written statement pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 504B.178, a landlord must also deliver to the tenant a written notice of rights under state law and local ordinance regarding security deposits in a form and manner approved by the city.
(d) Enforcement . In addition to any other remedy available at equity or law, failure to comply with the provisions of this section may result in criminal prosecution, adverse rental license action, and/or administrative fines, restrictions, or penalties as provided in chapter 2 of this Code. A notice of violation, as described in section 244.150 , shall not be required in order to establish or enforce a violation of this section.
(e) Severability . If any of the parts or provisions of this section or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this section, including the application of such part or provisions to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby and shall continue in full force and effect. To this end, the provisions of this section are severable.
(f) Effective date .This section shall become effective June 1, 2020. ( Ord. No. 2019-038 , § 4, 9-13-19, eff. 6-1-20)
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.2040 caps the security deposit a landlord may collect at one month's rent in most standard lease situations. If a tenant is required to pay more than the first month's rent plus the deposit before or during the first month of tenancy, the cap drops to half a month's rent, and the landlord must allow the tenant to pay that deposit in installments over up to three months. An exception raises the cap to one and a half months' rent when the tenancy is coordinated through a referral arrangement with a nonprofit service provider or government agency. Landlords are also required to deliver a written notice of tenant rights regarding security deposits at the same time they return or transfer the deposit under state law.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on September 15, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under § 244.2040, compliant operators collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit in standard lease arrangements, and reduce that cap to half a month's rent when upfront move-in costs exceed the first month's rent plus the deposit. When a tenant requests installment payments on a reduced deposit, operators generally accommodate a payment schedule spread over up to three months in amounts the tenant reasonably proposes. At the time of deposit return or transfer as required by Minnesota Statutes § 504B.178, operators also deliver the city-approved written notice of tenant rights — failure to comply with any part of § 244.2040 can result in criminal prosecution, adverse rental license action, or administrative fines.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.2040 gives tenants the right to have their security deposit capped at one month's rent, or half a month's rent if large upfront costs are required, and the right to pay that reduced deposit in installments over up to three months. Tenants are also entitled to receive a written notice of their rights under state law and local ordinance at the time their deposit is returned or transferred. Tenants who believe a landlord has violated § 244.2040 may have remedies available under both state law and local ordinance, and can explore options by contacting a local tenant-rights organization or the City of Minneapolis, which has enforcement authority including administrative penalties and rental license actions.

General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.

Generated September 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.

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Related Rules

§ 8.60.130
Severability
§ 15.12.010
Definitions
§ 15.12.240
Temporary housing

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