DisputeKit / States / Minnesota
Your consumer rights in Minnesota
What Minnesota and federal law say about getting a security deposit back, refunds and cancelling subscriptions, with the law cited and a sample letter for each.
Security deposits
21 days. Under Minnesota Statutes § 504B.178, subd. 3, a landlord must return the deposit with interest, or give a written statement showing the specific reason for withholding any part of it within 21 days. The clock starts when you move out and hand back possession of the unit. The three weeks only start once your landlord has your mailing address or delivery instructions. A court may also award the portion of the deposit wrongfully withheld plus an equal amount as a penalty (twice the withheld amount in total), with interest, and up to $500 in punitive damages if the landlord kept the deposit in bad faith.
Refunds
If a company won't refund you, send a written demand with a clear deadline. If you paid by credit card, you may also be able to dispute the charge: Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, a billing-error dispute must reach the card issuer in writing within 60 days after the first statement showing the charge.
Subscriptions
Minnesota has its own automatic-renewal law for subscriptions, on top of the federal Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act.
Small claims and complaints in Minnesota
- Minnesota consumer law
- Minnesota Statutes § 325F.69
- Where to file a complaint
- Minnesota Attorney General's Office, File a Complaint
- Small claims limit
- $20,000 in conciliation court ($4,000 for consumer credit claims brought by a seller or lender)
- Filing fee
- $65 state filing fee plus a county law library fee that varies by county