Minnesota (MN) eviction guide
Quick answer
To evict a tenant in Minnesota, serve a written notice (at least 14 days for nonpayment of rent as of January 1, 2024), then file an eviction complaint in District Court if the tenant does not comply. The court will schedule a hearing within about 7 to 14 days, and if you win, the sheriff enforces a Writ of Recovery to remove the tenant. The full process typically takes 3 to 8 weeks from notice to lockout.
| Legal grounds | Nonpayment of rent, lease violation, holdover tenancy, illegal activity, end of tenancy |
|---|---|
| Minimum notice | 14 days (nonpayment of rent) |
| Where to file | Minnesota District Court (Housing Division) |
| Filing fee | About $310 (base fee; county law library surcharge may apply) |
| Typical timeframe | 3 to 8 weeks |
Required before filing for nonpayment of rent under Minn. Stat. § 504B.321; gives the tenant 14 days to pay all overdue rent or vacate.
Used when a tenant breaks a lease term other than nonpayment; the notice must describe the violation and give the tenant time to fix it.
Required to end a month-to-month tenancy without cause; must be served at least one full rental period before the termination date.
A landlord may file for eviction immediately when a tenant engages in illegal drug activity or other criminal conduct on the premises.
| Step | Timeframe | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Serve the Required Written Notice | Day 1 | Deliver the correct written notice to the tenant by personal service or posting; the notice period starts the day after delivery. |
| 2. Wait for the Notice Period to Expire | 14 to 30 days | You cannot file in court until the full notice period passes and the tenant has not paid, cured the violation, or vacated. |
| 3. File an Eviction Complaint in District Court | 1 to 2 days | File your complaint at the county District Court Housing Division and pay the $310 base filing fee; the court will issue a summons. |
| 4. Serve the Tenant with the Summons | 3 to 7 days before hearing | A process server or county sheriff must personally serve the tenant with the complaint and summons at least 3 days before the court date. |
| 5. Attend the Eviction Hearing | 7 to 14 days after filing | Present your case to the judge; if the tenant does not appear or you prevail on the merits, the court issues a judgment for possession. |
| 6. Enforce the Writ of Recovery | 24 hours after writ is posted | Take the court-issued Writ of Recovery to the county sheriff, pay the $200 service fee, and the sheriff posts the writ; the tenant has 24 hours to vacate before the lockout is scheduled. |
Filing an eviction in Minnesota costs about $310 in base court fees, plus roughly $200 for the sheriff to serve the Writ of Recovery. Total out-of-pocket before attorney fees is typically $500 to $600, though contested cases with legal representation can run $1,500 to $3,500 or more.
After winning at the hearing, the court issues a Writ of Recovery of Premises and Order to Vacate. The landlord takes this writ to the county sheriff, who posts or serves it on the tenant; the tenant then has 24 hours to vacate voluntarily. If the tenant does not leave, the sheriff schedules and performs the physical lockout. Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities without a court order) is illegal in Minnesota.
General information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Minn. Stat. §§ 504B.001 to 504B.471. Self-help eviction is illegal everywhere; always follow the court process.
Minnesota eviction FAQ
Most Minnesota evictions take **3 to 8 weeks** from the day you serve the notice to the day the tenant is removed. The 14-day notice period, a few days to file and serve court papers, and a hearing date set 7 to 14 days out account for most of that time. Contested cases or appeals can push the timeline past two months.
Expect to spend at least **$500 to $600** in mandatory fees: the **$310** District Court filing fee plus the sheriff's **$200** writ service fee. If you hire an attorney, total costs typically run **$1,500 to $3,500** for an uncontested case and higher if the tenant fights it.
No. Minnesota law requires a court order before a tenant can be removed. Changing the locks, removing the tenant's belongings, or cutting off utilities to force someone out is illegal self-help eviction and can expose the landlord to significant liability.
Since January 1, 2024, landlords must give tenants a **14-day written notice** to pay overdue rent or vacate before filing an eviction action for nonpayment, under Minn. Stat. § 504B.321. Some cities or lease agreements may require a longer notice period.
A tenant can redeem the tenancy by paying all overdue rent, court costs, and attorney fees before possession transfers, under Minn. Stat. § 504B.291. Tenants may also appeal the judgment, which can temporarily delay the lockout, but they typically must post a bond or continue paying rent into escrow during the appeal.
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