Minneapolis, MN Rental Property Rules: Just Cause Eviction (2026)
Just cause eviction rules in Minneapolis, MN, sometimes called tenant protection or "for cause" eviction ordinances, list the specific legal reasons a landlord can end a tenancy.
Key Facts
- Scope
- Affordable housing buildings only
- Protection window
- 3 months after ownership change
- Relocation pay
- 3 months' contract rent
- Cause defined as
- Material lease violation
- Citywide reach
- Not a general just-cause law
Summary
Minneapolis requires 'cause' before a new owner can end an affordable-housing tenant's lease during the three-month protection period after a building sale, or else pay three months' rent in relocation assistance.
(a) If during the tenant protection period the new owner of an affordable housing building terminates or refuses to renew any affordable housing dwelling unit tenant's rental agreement without cause, then upon terminating or refusing to renew the tenant's lease, the new owner shall pay relocation assistance to the tenant, not later than the day upon which the tenant vacates the unit.
(b)If during the tenant protection period the new owner of an affordable housing building raises any affordable housing dwelling unit tenant's rent, or rescreens an existing affordable housing dwelling unit tenant, and the tenant gives written notice to the new owner to terminate the rental agreement, the new owner, shall within thirty (30) days of receiving the tenant's written notice of termination of the rental agreement, pay relocation assistance to the tenant. (Ord. No. 2018-063, § 1, 11-2-18)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
Minneapolis Code § 244.2130 creates a narrow just-cause protection tied to ownership changes. In an 'affordable housing building' (five or more units, at least 20 percent renting affordable to households at or below 60 percent of area median income), a new owner who terminates or refuses to renew a tenant's lease without cause during the three-calendar-month tenant protection period following the required sale notice must pay relocation assistance equal to three months' contract rent. The same payment is owed if the new owner raises rent or rescreens tenants and the tenant chooses to move out because of it. 'Cause' means the tenant or a household member materially violated a lease term. Outside this ownership-transfer window, or in buildings that don't meet the affordable-housing threshold, Minneapolis leases remain terminable under ordinary Minnesota landlord-tenant law -- this is not a citywide just-cause eviction ordinance.
Violations & Fines
Terminating without cause, or skipping the required sale/rights notices, draws an administrative fine equal to the owed relocation assistance plus $500, on top of possible criminal prosecution or adverse rental-license action under Chapter 244.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Minneapolis require just cause to evict any tenant?
What counts as 'cause' under this ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Minneapolis
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