Minn. Stat. § 504B § 504B.231
DAMAGES FOR OUSTER.
Operative Text
(a) If a landlord, an agent, or other person acting under the landlord's direction or control unlawfully and in bad faith removes, excludes, or forcibly keeps out a tenant from residential premises, the tenant may recover from the landlord treble damages or $500, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney's fees. (b) The remedies provided in this section are in addition to and shall not limit other rights or remedies available to landlords and tenants. Any provision, whether oral or written, of any lease or other agreement, whereby any provision of this section is waived by a tenant, is contrary to public policy and void. The provisions of this section also apply to occupants and owners of residential real property which is the subject of a mortgage foreclosure or contract for deed cancellation and as to which the period for redemption or reinstatement of the contract has expired.
Under Minn. Stat. § 504B.231, a landlord who unlawfully and in bad faith removes, excludes, or forcibly keeps a tenant out of their home exposes themselves to significant financial liability. The tenant is entitled to recover either three times their actual damages or $500, whichever amount is larger, along with reasonable attorney's fees. This protection also extends to occupants of properties going through mortgage foreclosure or contract-for-deed cancellation once the redemption period has expired, and any lease clause attempting to waive these rights is void as against public policy.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Minn. Stat. § 504B.231 makes unlawful self-help evictions — such as changing locks, removing belongings, or physically barring access — extremely costly for property owners and their agents. Compliant operators use only court-authorized eviction processes and ensure that anyone acting on their behalf, including property managers and maintenance staff, understands that extrajudicial removal of a tenant can trigger treble damages plus attorney's fees. Operators generally document all communications and actions related to a tenant's occupancy to demonstrate that any change in possession followed lawful procedures.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Minn. Stat. § 504B.231 gives tenants a direct legal remedy if a landlord, agent, or anyone acting under the landlord's direction unlawfully and in bad faith locks them out or otherwise forces them from their home. A tenant in that situation may be entitled to recover treble damages or $500 — whichever is greater — plus reasonable attorney's fees, and no lease clause can strip away this right. Tenants who believe they have been illegally ousted can document the circumstances, contact a local tenant-rights organization, or consult an attorney to understand the enforcement paths available to them.
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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