Inclusive screening criteria

A property owner can use the City’s inclusive screening criteria when a renter applies.

The City's guidelines limit:

• What information a property owner can use to deny your application, including your:
  • Criminal history
  • Rental history
  • Credit history
• How far back they can look in your history for a criminal conviction or eviction action

Examples

• Misdemeanor older than three years:
  • A property manager cannot use this to deny your application.
• Credit score:
  • Property managers cannot set a minimum credit score for renters.
  • They can look at your credit report, but only to see if you could pay rent.

See our Guide to screening and security deposit rights

Individual assessment

If property managers decide to use criteria that is stricter than the City guidelines, they must:

• Look at your application individually
• Let you submit more information with your application
• Consider everything you provide when they look at your application
• Give a specific reason if they deny your application

See our Guide to screening and security deposit rights

Security deposit limit

Your security deposit cannot be more than a single month's rent.

A property owner might ask for more than one month rent up front. For example, they might ask you to pay the first and last month's rent before starting your lease.

If the property owner is asking for more than a single month’s rent up front:

• The security deposit cannot be more than 50% of a single month’s rent.
• You may choose to pay it over three months.

See our Guide to screening and security deposit rights

Security deposit return

Property owners must return:

• Your security deposit plus interest, or
• A written explanation of why they are holding all or part back

They must mail the letter within 21 days of you moving out and providing a forwarding address

For more help with security deposits:

• Contact HOME Line
• See our Guide to screening and security deposit rights

Before filing an eviction for not paying rent

A property owner must give you notice in writing

The pre-eviction notice must list:

• What fees are due
• The timeline for paying fee
• Who you can pay

The property owner must send the notice at least 14 days before they start the eviction process

• The 14 days start the day they mail or hand deliver the notice to you.
• After 14 days, the property owner can start the eviction process if:
  • You have not paid the total amount due
  • You do not move from the property

Starting March 1, 2025, the pre-eviction notice period will change to 30 days.

There are resources for renters who are at risk of eviction:

• Legal help
• Financial help
• More rental resources

See Renter resources

Right to a lawyer during eviction

Low-income renters in Minneapolis have the right to a lawyer in eviction cases.

Get free legal help with an eviction from Hennepin County Adult Representation Services

Get free legal help with an eviction from Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid

Financial help with relocation

Relocation help is defined as three months' rent. 

You may be able to get relocation help if:

• Need to move out of your rental unit due to code violation by the owner or manager 
• The rental license of your building is revoked or cancelled by the City
• The rental license for your building is applied for but denied
• You live in Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH), your building is sold and:
  • Your lease ends without cause
  • You have to move due to a rent increase
  • The new property owner screens you and lose your housing
    Read about NOAH

Contact 311 to connect with a rental housing liaison

If your unit needs repairs

Minneapolis renters have a right to housing that meets minimum standards for safety and comfort.

If your unit needs repairs:

• Contact your property owner.
• If the property owner does not respond, see Help with renter issues.

See the City's Property maintenance rules for property owners

Retaliation is illegal

It is illegal for a property owner to retaliate against you for reporting an issue in your home.

If you think that you have been retaliated against, you can:

• Contact 311 to connect with a rental housing liaison