Minnesota Rental Application Overview
Minnesota provides strong tenant protections with unique screening fee transparency requirements, source of income protections, and broad fair housing coverage. Some cities add criminal history restrictions. Landlords must accept portable screening reports.
Minnesota does not have a statewide cap on application fees, but landlords must disclose the screening criteria before accepting a fee, and cannot charge a fee if no unit is available. If an applicant provides a screening report less than 30 days old, the landlord must accept it and cannot charge a new screening fee.
No state cap
Max application fee
Yes, with written co
Credit check
Restrictions in some
Criminal bg check
2.5-3x monthly rent
Income requirement
Minnesota Tenant Screening Laws
Application Fee Rules
Minnesota does not have a statewide cap on application fees, but landlords must disclose the screening criteria before accepting a fee, and cannot charge a fee if no unit is available. If an applicant provides a screening report less than 30 days old, the landlord must accept it and cannot charge a new screening fee.
Criminal Background Check Rules
Minneapolis and St. Paul have enacted significant criminal history restrictions for housing. Minneapolis passed a fair chance housing ordinance that limits when landlords can consider criminal history and requires individualized assessments. St. Paul has similar protections. These go beyond the statewide requirements.
Credit Check Requirements
Minnesota requires landlords to provide written screening criteria to applicants before collecting a fee. Landlords must also accept portable screening reports (less than 30 days old) from applicants and cannot charge an additional fee if one is provided.
Fair Housing Protections
Minnesota's Human Rights Act provides extensive protections including sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, source of income, age, and familial status. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights handles complaints.
Source of Income Protection
Minnesota prohibits discrimination based on source of income. Landlords cannot reject applicants solely because their income comes from Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), Social Security, disability benefits, child support, alimony, or other lawful income sources. Violations can result in fair housing complaints and penalties.
Minnesota Screening Criteria
Minnesota landlords typically evaluate the following criteria when reviewing rental applications. All screening must comply with federal and Minnesota state fair housing laws.
- Credit Score: Most Minnesota landlords look for a credit score of 620 or higher, though thresholds vary by property and market
- Income: Gross monthly income of at least 2.5-3x monthly rent is the standard requirement
- Rental History: Positive references from previous landlords, no evictions, and a record of on-time rent payments
- Employment Verification: Stable employment or verifiable income sufficient to cover rent and living expenses
- Background Check: Subject to Minnesota's restrictions on criminal history screening
How to Fill Out a Minnesota Rental Application
Follow these steps to properly complete your Minnesota rental application. Our template includes all sections required for Minnesota-compliant tenant screening.
Provide Personal Information
Enter your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, phone number, email, and current address. Your SSN is required for the credit check and will be handled securely per Minnesota data protection requirements.
Detail Your Rental History
List your current and previous addresses for the past 2-3 years, including landlord names and contact information, monthly rent, dates of tenancy, and reason for leaving. Minnesota landlords will contact your previous landlords to verify this information.
Enter Employment and Income Details
Provide your employer's name, address, your position, length of employment, and gross monthly income. Include all income sources. Most Minnesota landlords require income of at least 2.5-3x monthly rent.
Add References
Include 2-3 personal or professional references with their names, phone numbers, and your relationship. Let them know they may be contacted. Strong references can strengthen your application, especially if you have limited rental history.
Sign Authorization Forms
Review and sign the credit check authorization, background check consent, and FCRA disclosure. These are required by federal law before the landlord can access your consumer reports. The authorization is specific to this application and cannot be used for other purposes.
Submit with Supporting Documents
Attach copies of your photo ID, recent pay stubs, and any other requested documentation. Pay the application fee if required. Minnesota does not cap application fees.
Minnesota Rental Application Fees & Costs
Here's a breakdown of typical rental application costs in Minnesota. Fees vary by landlord and screening service used.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $30-$75 |
| Credit Check | $15-$40 (often included in application fee) |
| Background Check | $20-$50 (often included in application fee) |
| Refundable? | Typically non-refundable |
Sample Minnesota Rental Application
Below is a preview of our Minnesota-specific rental application. Your customized document will include all fields and disclosures required under Minnesota law.
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RENTAL APPLICATION
Tenant Screening Form
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Name: [Legal Name]
Date of Birth: [DOB] SSN: [XXX-XX-XXXX]
Phone: [Phone] Email: [Email]
RENTAL HISTORY
Current Address: [Minnesota Address]
Landlord: [Name] Rent: $[Amount]
EMPLOYMENT & INCOME
Employer: [Company]
Monthly Income: $[Amount]
AUTHORIZATION
I authorize the landlord to obtain my credit report, conduct a background check, and verify the information provided in this application in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Minnesota state law...
Minnesota Rental Application FAQ
Answers to common questions about rental applications, tenant screening, and landlord requirements in Minnesota.
Official Minnesota Resources
Use these official resources to learn more about Minnesota tenant screening laws, fair housing requirements, and your rights as a landlord or tenant.
Minnesota Department of Human Rights
Fair housing enforcement and discrimination complaints
HOME Line — Minnesota Tenant Hotline
Free tenant rights hotline and education
HUD Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity
Federal fair housing laws, complaints, and guidance
FTC Fair Credit Reporting Act
Federal credit reporting rights for tenants
Other Minnesota Documents
Need other rental and lease documents for Minnesota? We offer state-specific templates for every type of landlord-tenant document.
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