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Get your security deposit back in Minnesota

Your landlord must act within 21 days after termination and receipt of forwarding address under Minn. Stat. § 504B.178. If they missed it, a statute-cited demand letter is the fastest first move.

21 days
to return or itemize
Penalties
for non-compliance
$29
letter + certified mail, one-time
Start my Minnesota letter →

One flat fee. No subscription. Not a law firm.

What Minnesota law says

Deadline to return / itemizewithin 21 days after termination and receipt of forwarding address
StatuteMinn. Stat. § 504B.178 — read the official text
Itemized deduction statementRequired if any portion is withheld
Exposure for wrongful withholdingBad-faith retention can add punitive damages of up to $500 per deposit, plus interest on the deposit.
Worth knowingInterest accrues on deposits at 1% simple per annum (subd. 2); bad-faith punitive damages up to $500 per deposit (subd. 7).

This is general legal information about Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, not legal advice about your situation. Statutes contain conditions and exceptions, and legislatures amend them — always check the official text linked above.

What that can mean in dollars

Example: $1,500 deposit wrongfully withheld → recovery of the withheld amount.

Most landlords understand this math, which is why a letter that cites Minn. Stat. § 504B.178 and states the deadline they missed is often enough to get a check without going to court.

Calculate your own numbers →

How your Minnesota letter works

1. Answer a few questions

Your deposit amount, move-out date, landlord's address, and what happened. About 3 minutes.

2. We prepare the letter

A formal demand letter citing Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, the 21-day deadline, and the remedies the statute provides.

3. We mail it certified

Printed and sent by USPS Certified Mail with tracking — your proof of delivery if this ends up in small claims court.

Start my letter — $29

Minnesota deposit questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Minnesota?
Under Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, the landlord generally must act within 21 days after termination and receipt of forwarding address. If the landlord keeps any portion, an itemized written statement of deductions is required. This is general legal information — the statute contains conditions and exceptions.
What happens if my landlord misses the Minnesota deadline?
Bad-faith retention can add punitive damages of up to $500 per deposit, plus interest on the deposit. A written demand letter that cites Minn. Stat. § 504B.178 puts the landlord on notice that you know the deadline has passed and what the statute allows you to pursue.
Do I need a lawyer to send a demand letter in Minnesota?
No. A demand letter is something any tenant can send on their own behalf. Our service prepares the letter from the facts you provide and the current text of Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, and mails it by USPS Certified Mail so you have proof of delivery. If your dispute is complex or high-value, talking to a licensed Minnesota attorney is a sensible next step — many take deposit cases because several statutes shift attorney's fees to the landlord.