Whether you are a tenant facing an eviction notice or a landlord trying to remove someone who stopped paying, the rules in Minneapolis are strict and the deadlines are short. Minnesota Statutes Chapter 504B governs the whole relationship, evictions run through Hennepin County Housing Court, and your landlord must return a security deposit within 21 days of move-out or owe you a penalty. Tenants cannot be locked out without a court order, and landlords cannot just change the locks. The firms below handle both sides — evictions, security-deposit fights, repair and habitability claims, and illegal lockouts — and most will tell you in a first call whether you have a case worth fighting.
Plenty of rental problems get sorted out with a firm letter or a quick call. The time to bring in a lawyer is when money or your housing is genuinely on the line and the other side will not budge. For tenants, that means an eviction filing, a deposit kept without a good reason, a unit that is not safe to live in, or a landlord who shut off the heat or changed the locks. For landlords, it means a tenant who stopped paying, damaged the unit, or refuses to leave, and you need the eviction done correctly so it is not thrown out on a technicality. Minnesota's notice and filing rules are unforgiving, and one missed step can cost you weeks.
Reach out to a Minneapolis landlord-tenant lawyer if any of these apply.
Step 1: written notice. For nonpayment, a Minnesota landlord must give 14 days' written notice before filing. Step 2: the landlord files an eviction action in Hennepin County Housing Court and the tenant is served. Step 3: the first hearing, usually within one to two weeks of filing. Step 4: the tenant raises any defenses — improper notice, retaliation, bad repairs, or payment. Step 5: the court either enters judgment, sets the case for trial, or the parties settle. Step 6: if the landlord wins, a writ of recovery issues and the sheriff carries out the removal; the tenant cannot be removed any other way. For deposit and repair disputes the path is different: deposit claims can go to conciliation (small claims) court, and repair problems are handled through a rent escrow or emergency tenant remedies action where rent is paid to the court until the landlord fixes the problem.
Most Minneapolis landlord-tenant lawyers bill hourly, commonly $200 to $400 an hour, and many will handle a straightforward eviction or security-deposit dispute for a flat fee in the few-hundred-to-low-thousands range. Landlords with multiple properties often keep a firm on a recurring basis. Tenants who cannot afford counsel have real options: Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid and the Volunteer Lawyers Network provide free representation to those who qualify, and HOME Line runs a free statewide tenant hotline. Smaller deposit claims can be filed in conciliation court without a lawyer at all. Ask any firm you call whether a flat fee is available for your situation.
A downtown Minneapolis firm with a real estate and litigation practice that handles landlord-tenant disputes, leasing, and evictions. A strong fit for landlords and property owners who want a business-oriented firm to manage leases, evictions, and real estate litigation in one place.
A large, established Twin Cities firm with a deep real estate practice that covers landlord and tenant matters, including commercial leasing and disputes. Suited to landlords, property managers, and commercial tenants who want a full-service firm behind a leasing or eviction issue.
A Twin Cities firm whose landlord-tenant and eviction attorneys represent both property owners and tenants in leasing matters and eviction proceedings. A practical option for either side of a residential dispute that wants a mid-to-large firm with a dedicated real estate group.
A Twin Cities firm that markets a dedicated landlord-tenant practice serving both landlords and tenants on evictions and lease disputes. A good fit for individuals who want attentive, smaller-firm representation on a single eviction, lockout, or deposit case.
A downtown Minneapolis firm whose attorneys have been recognized by Minnesota peers and handle real estate and landlord-tenant disputes within a broader civil litigation practice. Suited to clients who want an experienced litigation firm on a contested lease or eviction matter.
Firm details are drawn from public directory listings (Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, FindLaw) and the firms' own published information. Practice areas and recognitions change over time — confirm current credentials with the firm. Income-eligible tenants can also seek free help from Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, the Volunteer Lawyers Network, or the HOME Line tenant hotline. LawFirmSquare is a directory and does not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
Tell us briefly what is going on. We route a confidential request to a best-fit Minneapolis landlord-tenant firm in this directory.