The St. Paul security deposit demand letter that gets deposits back.
Your St. Paul landlord must act within 21 days after termination and receipt of forwarding address under Minn. Stat. § 504B.178. If they missed it, the statute is written on your side. We cite the statute, mail your demand USPS Certified, and track the response.
The law that protects your deposit
Deposits in St. Paul are governed by Minnesota state law: Minn. Stat. § 504B.178. Bad-faith retention can add punitive damages of up to $500 per deposit, plus interest on the deposit. Full Minnesota deadline & penalty guide →
If the landlord ignores your letter
Deposit claims from St. Paul are typically filed in the small-claims court serving Ramsey County — designed for people without lawyers, with modest filing fees.
St. Paul at a glance
Population ~303,000 (U.S. Census 2024 estimate, rounded). Every deposit dispute here runs on the same clock: the 21-day statutory window — and a certified letter is the documented first step.
General legal information, not legal advice. City-specific ordinances change; verify current rules or consult a licensed Minnesota attorney.