Security deposit law in Minnesota

The rule in Minnesota

Minnesota sets no statutory cap on the size of a residential security deposit: the source checked (Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, § 504B.178) states no maximum, so the amount is whatever the lease says.

The return deadline is 21 days, counted after termination, once the landlord has the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions. The text reads: “within three weeks after termination of the tenancy.”

Of the 44 jurisdictions verified here, 9 give landlords less time and 29 give more; the median is 30 days. California, Connecticut, Idaho, South Dakota and Wisconsin also allow 21 days.

Without a cap there is no dollar ceiling to compute. For comparison, 27 of the 44 verified jurisdictions do cap deposits, from one month's rent in states such as Alabama up to three months' rent in Nevada.

Worked date: if the clock starts on November 30, 2026, the deadline falls on December 21, 2026.

In neighbouring states with verified rules: Iowa allows 30 days and caps deposits at two months' rent, North Dakota allows 30 days and caps deposits at one month's rent, South Dakota allows 21 days and caps deposits at one month's rent and Wisconsin allows 21 days and sets no cap.

The deadline is five days when the tenant leaves because the building is legally condemned for reasons not caused by the tenant.

If a deposit is not returned, the small claims limit in Minnesota is $20,000 (small claims rules).

Source: Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, § 504B.178 · last checked October 20, 2026.

If the deposit does not come back

The statute above sets the deadline; what happens after it passes is covered in general terms in the guide on a deposit that is not returned, and the way each state starts and counts the clock is compared in how deposit deadlines are counted.