Hennepin County, MN Rental Property Rules: Rent Control (2026)
Rent control rules in Hennepin County, MN, also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances, limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
Key Facts
- MN authority
- Minn. Stat. 471.9996
- Voter approval
- Required
- Hennepin County
- No rent control
- Minneapolis
- Authorized, not implemented
- Saint Paul
- 3% annual cap
Summary
Minnesota Statute 471.9996 allows rent control only if approved by city or county voters at general election. Saint Paul passed rent stabilization in 2021. Minneapolis voters authorized enabling in 2021 but the council has not enacted implementation. Hennepin County itself has no rent control.
471.9996 RENT CONTROL PROHIBITED. Subdivision 1. In general. No statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town may adopt or renew by ordinance or otherwise any law to control rents on private residential property except as provided in subdivision 2. This section does not impair the right of any statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town:
(1) to manage or control property in which it has a financial interest through a housing authority or similar agency;
(2) to contract with a property owner;
(3) to act as required or authorized by laws or regulations of the United States government or this state; or
(4) to mediate between property owners and tenants for the purpose of negotiating rents. Subd. 2. Exception. Subdivision 1 does not preclude a statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town from controlling rents on private residential property to the extent that the city, county, or town has the power to adopt an ordinance, charter amendment, or law to control these rents if the ordinance, charter amendment, or law that controls rents is approved in a general election. Subdivision 1 does not limit any power or authority of the voters of a statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town to petition for an ordinance or charter amendment to control rents on private residential property to the extent that the power or authority is otherwise provided for by law, and if the ordinance or charter amendment is approved in a general election.
Full Breakdown
Minn. Stat. 471.9996 preempts rent control unless adopted via voter initiative or council-referred ballot question at a general election. Saint Paul voters passed a 3% annual cap in November 2021, amended in 2022 to add new-construction and vacancy decontrol exemptions. Minneapolis voters approved Question 3 in 2021 authorizing the city council to draft rent control, but as of 2026 the council has not passed implementing language. No other Hennepin County city, nor the county itself, has enacted rent control. Without local rules, Minnesota landlords may raise rent any amount with proper notice.
Violations & Fines
Where rent control does not apply, no penalty exists for rent increases. In Saint Paul, illegal increases trigger tenant complaints to the Department of Safety and Inspections and possible refunds with interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does rent control apply in Minneapolis?
What rent notice is required?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hennepin County
Compare Hennepin County to another location·View the Minnesota rental property rules overview
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