Landlord and Tenant Problems: Minnesota Court Forms and Information

Authored By

Minnesota Courts

Last Updated

07/2023

The Minnesota Courts have forms and information for landlord-tenant cases in Minnesota. You can find forms for eviction, rent escrow and repairs, expungement of housing records, and more. See below for more information.

Minnesota Guide and File

This free program helps you create the forms to respond to eviction. The program works by asking you questions. It uses your answers to fill out your form. You can file your forms with the court electronically. You can also print your forms and take them in person to the court to file.

Guide and File is currently only available for eviction cases. For other landlord / tenant forms, see below.

Start the interview!

If you are a landlord looking to evict a tenant, click the "Eviction Action Compliant" option. If you are a tenant who received a notice of eviction, click the "Eviction Answer" option.

Download Forms

If you do not want to use Minnesota Guide and File to fill out your forms or your case is something other than an eviction, you can download blank forms for the options below.

Forms on the Courts website are organized in "packets" and by individual forms. Packets include form instructions and all individual forms. If you are not sure what form you need, start with the Packet and download each individual form in the packet as you need.

Some of these court forms are Fillable Smart Forms. You can download a PDF or use the Fillable Smart Form to fill in your answers online.

Make sure you read the form instructions to find the right forms for your case.

Notice about Fillable Smart Forms
Some Minnesota court forms are “Fillable Smart Forms.” For information and help using Fillable Smart Forms, see Technical Support.

General Landlord-Tenant

Eviction

Rent Escrow

What is a Rent Escrow action?

A Rent Escrow action is a court action that can require your landlord to make the needed repairs.

Can I be eviction for asking for repairs or filing a Rent Escrow case?

No. You cannot be evicted for asking your landlord to make repairs or for filing a rent escrow case. If you do not continue to pay your rent while you wait for repairs, you can be evicted.

What relief can I get from a Rent Escrow case?

You can ask the court to order your landlord to make the repairs, reduce your rent until repairs are complete, or refund a portion of past rent when repairs were not made.

How do I file a Rent Escrow action?

You can find the forms you need to file a rent escrow case here.

Emergency Relief

What is an Emergency Tenant Remedies Action (ETRA)?

An ETRA is a court action you can file if you have emergency repair needs and your landlord refuses to fix them. Emergency issues usually impact other tenants as well. ETRA's are often filed on behalf of several tenants.

What is considered an "emergency"?

Loss of running water, hot water, heat, electricity, sanitary facilities (toilets), or other essential services or facilities that the landlord is responsible for providing.

How do I file an ETRA?

To file an ETRA, you will need to fill out the Petition for Emergency Relief form.

Lockout

Changing the locks and locking you out of your apartment or unit is a tactic that some landlords use when they think you should not have access to the space anymore. This often happens when a tenant has not paid rent. Locking you out is illegal, even if you did not pay your rent.

If your landlord locked you out and refuses to let you back in, you should first contact the police. If the police will not help, you can file a lockout petition with the court.

Expungement

What is an eviction expungement?

Eviction expungement asks for a judge to seal an eviction court record from public view. This means that your eviction will not show up on a search or background check.

Why would I want to expunge my eviction?

You might want to expunge an eviction on your record if you are having trouble renting a new place because of it.

Are all evictions eligible for expungement?

No. You can ask for an expungement when your landlord wrongly filed the eviction case and it would be unfair to keep it on your record. If your landlord had good reason to evict you, you will not be able to expunge that case.

How do I file for an expungement?

You can find the forms you will need to file for an expungement.

It is important to read the form instructions carefully to determine if you might be eligible for expungement.