Can a landlord change the locks to force a tenant out in Minnesota?
No. An unlawful ouster or utility shut-off entitles the tenant to recover possession, treble damages or $500 (whichever is greater) and attorney fees. Minn. Stat. § 504B.231, 504B.375. In Minnesota a tenant may be removed only through the court process, which is set by Minn. Stat. §§ 504B.135, 504B.291, 504B.321, 504B.345, 504B.231.
| What | Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Changing the locks, cutting a utility or removing belongings | Unlawful |
| Who may remove a tenant | Only a court officer acting on a court order |
Notes
Minnesota introduced a mandatory 14-day pre-eviction notice for nonpayment in 2024. A tenant may redeem by paying the rent and costs at any point before the writ is executed.
Source
Minn. Stat. §§ 504B.135, 504B.291, 504B.321, 504B.345, 504B.231 — last checked 2026-09-16.
This is a summary of the published procedure, not legal advice. Courts, local rules and the facts of a tenancy change what applies, and a defect in a notice or a filing can end a case. Have a lawyer review anything before it is served or filed.
How Seayora uses this rule
Seayora does not file, serve or appear in an eviction, and is not anybody’s lawyer. When a tenant has stopped paying, it lays out these steps for the property’s own state and city with the statute beside each one, holds back any step that would come too early, keeps an append-only record of the case — and shows the resident what would end it, legal-aid links included.
Compare this rule in every state
More Minnesota rules
- Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Minnesota?
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Minnesota?
- How many days does a tenant get to pay late rent in Minnesota?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent in Minnesota?
- How much notice must a landlord give to end a tenancy in Minnesota?
- How much can a landlord charge for a late rent fee in Minnesota?
- How long does a tenant have to respond to an eviction case in Minnesota?
- What are the steps to evict a tenant for unpaid rent in Minnesota?
- Do contractors charge sales tax in Minnesota?
- Every Minnesota rule on one page
The same question in other states
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Nevada