Minn. Stat. § 504B § 504B.335
ANSWER; TRIAL.
Operative Text
(a) At the court appearance specified in the summons, the defendant may answer the complaint. When scheduling a trial date, the court must select a date that allows for a fair, thorough, and timely adjudication of the merits of the case, including the complexity of the matter, the need for the parties to obtain discovery, the need for the parties to ensure the presence of witnesses, the opportunity for the defendant to seek legal counsel and raise affirmative defenses, and any extenuating factors enumerated under section 504B.171. (b) Either party may demand a trial by jury. (c) The proceedings in the action are the same as in other civil actions, except as provided in sections 504B.281 to 504B.371. (d) The court, in scheduling appearances and hearings under this section, shall give priority to any eviction brought under section 504B.171, or on the basis that the residential tenant engages in behavior that seriously endangers the safety of other residents, or intentionally and seriously damages the property of the landlord or a tenant. (e) The court may not require the defendant to pay any amount of money into court, post a bond, make a payment directly to a landlord, or by any other means post security for any purpose prior to final disposition of an action, except if the final disposition of the action may be delayed for more than ten days, the court may order the defendant to provide security in a form and amount that the court approves, based on the totality of the circumstances, provided that the amount of security may not include any amounts allegedly owed prior to the date of filing of the action and may not exceed the amount of the monthly or periodic rent that accrues during the pendency of the action. Nothing in this paragraph shall affect an appeal bond under section 504B.371, subdivision 3.
Minnesota Statute § 504B.335 governs how eviction (unlawful detainer) cases proceed once a defendant appears in court. The defendant may respond to the complaint at the initial court appearance, and either side may request a jury trial. Courts must set trial dates that allow adequate time for discovery, witnesses, legal counsel, and affirmative defenses, while giving scheduling priority to cases involving safety threats or serious property damage. Importantly, courts generally cannot require a tenant to pay money, post a bond, or provide other security before the case is finally resolved, with a narrow exception if the case is delayed more than ten days—and even then, the security amount is capped at rent accruing during the pendency of the action and cannot include amounts allegedly owed before the filing date.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 504B.335, landlords should be aware that the court controls the pace and scheduling of eviction proceedings, and that defendants have the right to answer, seek counsel, and request a jury trial. Operators pursuing evictions based on tenant behavior that seriously endangers other residents or causes intentional, serious property damage may benefit from the statute's priority-scheduling provision, which moves such cases to the front of the court's docket. Landlords should also understand that courts are generally prohibited from requiring tenants to post security or make payments before final disposition, except in limited, court-approved circumstances tied to rent accruing during a prolonged case.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 504B.335 provides tenants with meaningful procedural protections in eviction proceedings, including the right to answer the complaint at the initial court appearance, request a jury trial, obtain discovery, secure legal counsel, and raise affirmative defenses. Courts are generally barred from ordering a tenant to pay money into court, post a bond, or provide any other security before the case is fully resolved—and if a delay exceeds ten days, any security ordered cannot include amounts allegedly owed before the filing date and cannot exceed rent accruing while the case is pending. Tenants who believe these procedural rights are being violated may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with § 504B.335 to understand available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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