What Landlords Should Know About Minnesota's Eviction Process
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Published: 2024-05-02 19:28:42


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The Minnesota evictions process involves several key steps. 

Are you a landlord in Minnesota? Do you need to evict a tenant? Understanding the eviction  process is crucial. 
In this article, we'll guide you through the steps, ensuring you're well-informed and  prepared. 

First, you must serve a written eviction notice, outlining the reasons for eviction. If the  tenant doesn't fix the situation, you can file an eviction lawsuit. 

The court will serve the tenant a summons, and at the hearing, a judgment will be issued. By knowing the process, you can navigate it confidently. 

## **Eviction Process in Minnesota** 

When serving a written eviction notice in Minnesota, you should make sure to follow the  proper steps outlined by the law. 

The [Minnesota evictions](https://innago.com/minnesota-eviction-process/) process involves several key steps. 

First, the landlord must serve a written eviction notice to the tenant. This notice can be a  Rent Demand Notice, which gives the tenant 14 days to pay the rent or quit the premises. If  the lease is longer than 20 years old, a written 30-day notice is required. If the tenant  violates the lease, the landlord can serve a Lease Violation Notice. 

After serving the notice, the landlord must file an eviction lawsuit with the court. This  involves filing a complaint, paying a filing fee, and providing copies to the court and tenant. 
Once the court serves the tenant with a summons, they must appear in court within 7-14  days. 

It's important to follow these steps carefully to ensure smooth [Minnesota evictions](https://innago.com/minnesota-eviction-process/). 

## **Reasons for Eviction in Minnesota** 

You frequently need to be aware of the reasons for eviction in Minnesota as a landlord.  There are several grounds on which you can evict a tenant in Minnesota.

The first and most common reason is failing to pay rent. If a tenant consistently fails to pay  rent, you have the right to initiate the eviction process. 

Another reason for eviction is holding over after the lease has expired. If a tenant continues  to occupy the property after the lease term has ended without renewing or extending the  lease, you have the right to evict them.
 
Additionally, violating a term of the lease, committing severe property damage or  destruction, and engaging in illegal activity on the premises are also valid reasons for  eviction in Minnesota. 
It's important to familiarize yourself with these grounds to protect your rights as a landlord.

## **Landlord Serves a Written Eviction Notice**

A landlord can begin the [eviction process in Minnesota](https://innago.com/minnesota-eviction-process/) by serving a written eviction  notice to the tenant. For periodic tenancies, such as month-to-month leases, the landlord  must provide a 14-day Rent Demand Notice, giving the tenant the option to pay the rent  owed or vacate the premises. 

For all other tenancies, the specific notice period isn't specified. However, if the tenant's  lease is more than 20 years old, the landlord must serve a written 30-day notice to pay or  quit. 

In the case of lease violations, the notice period isn't specified. It's important for the  landlord to include the amount of actual damages and reasonable attorney's fees they may  recover in the notice.
 

## **Landlord Files an Eviction Lawsuit With the Court**

After serving a written eviction notice, the next step in the [eviction process in Minnesota](https://innago.com/minnesota-eviction-process/) is for you, the landlord, to file an eviction lawsuit with the court. 

To do this, you need to file a complaint in court and provide copies of the complaint to both  the court and the tenant(s). You'll also need to pay a filing fee, which is currently set at  $285 for the Minnesota District Court. 

It's important to file the eviction lawsuit in the district court located in the county where  your property is situated, except in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. 

Once you have filed the lawsuit, the court will serve the tenant(s) a summons,  commanding them to appear in court within 7-14 days.

## **Court Serves Tenant a Summons** 

Once the eviction lawsuit has been filed, the court will proceed to serve you, the tenant, a  summons. This summons is issued by the court and it commands you to appear in court  within 7-14 days. 

The court will ensure that the summons and complaint are properly served to each tenant.  According to Minnesota Civil Procedure, Rule 4.03, the summons must be served in  accordance with the rules of civil procedure. 

It's important to note that you don't need to file a written answer to the summons and  complaint. However, you may choose to provide your response during the court  appearance. 
Make sure to carefully review the summons and understand the date and time you're  required to appear in court. 

## **Conclusion** 

In conclusion, understanding the eviction process in Minnesota is crucial for landlords to  protect their rights. By serving a written eviction notice and filing an eviction lawsuit with  the court, landlords can navigate the legal procedures confidently. 
The court will then serve the tenant a summons and hold a hearing where both parties can  present their case. Ultimately, by being well-informed and prepared, landlords can ensure  a smooth resolution to their landlord-tenant disputes.