{"data":{"id":"us-mn/minn.-stat.-504b.175","jurisdiction":"us-mn","citation":"Minn. Stat. § 504B.175","heading":"PRELEASE DEPOSIT.","body":"Subdivision 1. Definition.\nFor the purpose of this section, \"prelease deposit\" means payment given to a landlord from a prospective tenant of a residential dwelling unit before the prospective tenant and the landlord have entered into a rental agreement. \"Prelease deposit\" does not include the payment of a reasonable applicant screening fee used to conduct a background check on the prospective tenant.\nSubd. 2. Limitations.\n(a) A prelease deposit may be accepted only if the landlord and prospective tenant enter into a conspicuous written agreement that includes:\n(1) the circumstances under which it will be returned; and\n(2) that the landlord is required to return the prelease deposit within seven days of the occurrence of a circumstance described in clause (1).\n(b) \"Return\" means postmarked within seven days except that upon the prospective tenant's request, a landlord may destroy the payment or hold it for retrieval by the tenant instead of returning it by mail.\nSubd. 3. Application on entry into rental agreement.\nIf a prospective tenant and landlord do enter into a rental agreement, the prelease deposit must be applied to that tenant's security deposit or rent.\nSubd. 4. Remedies.\nIn addition to any other remedies, a landlord who violates this section is liable to the payor of the prelease deposit for the amount of the deposit paid, plus one-half of that amount as a penalty. A landlord who enters into a rental agreement with a tenant is not liable under this section unless the landlord failed to comply with subdivision 3.","path":["PROPERTY AND PROPERTY INTERESTS","CHAPTER 504B. LANDLORD AND TENANT","OBLIGATIONS AND COVENANTS"],"source_url":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/504B.175","current_through":"2025 Minnesota Statutes","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-02T22:10:48Z","sha256":"a141495b09f7a94b22ff64fe0738ae4e5f6c58673cc20f3133b874e2369c12fd","source_id":"us-mn","stale":false,"prev":"us-mn/minn.-stat.-504b.173","next":"us-mn/minn.-stat.-504b.177"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}