Lease Agreement Template Minnesota

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

Document Control: LA-MN-2026-V1
Effective Date: [Effective Date]
Jurisdiction/Scope: State of Minnesota (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 504B)

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1. LEGAL NOTICE & DISCLAIMER

DISCLAIMER: This Residential Lease Agreement template is drafted for general informational and structural purposes under Minnesota law. It does not constitute formal legal advice. Real estate transactions and landlord-tenant relationships are subject to complex local, state, and federal statutory frameworks (including Minneapolis/St. Paul municipal ordinances, if applicable). The parties acknowledge that legal counsel should be retained to review customized provisions. Neither the drafter nor the publisher assumes liability for any legal or financial loss arising from the use of this template.

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2. PARTIES & PREMISES

This Residential Lease Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into on [Date], by and between:

• Landlord: [Landlord Full Legal Name / Business Entity], having a principal place of business/residence at [Landlord Address] ("Landlord"), and
• Tenant(s): [Tenant 1 Full Legal Name] and [Tenant 2 Full Legal Name] ("Tenant").

1.1 Demised Premises: Landlord hereby leases to Tenant, and Tenant hereby leases from Landlord, the real property located at [Street Address, Unit Number], City of [City], State of Minnesota, Zip Code [Zip Code] ("Premises"), together with the following personal property, if any: [List Appliances/Furnishings or write "None"].

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3. TERM & POSSESSION

3.1 Term: The term of this Agreement shall commence on [Lease Start Date] ("Commencement Date") and shall expire on [Lease End Date] at 11:59 PM ("Termination Date"), unless renewed or terminated earlier in accordance with Minnesota law.

3.2 Holdover: If Tenant retains possession of the Premises after the Termination Date without Landlord’s written consent, Tenant shall become a tenant at sufferance, subject to a daily holdover rent equal to [150%]% of the daily prorated Rent, plus all damages incurred by Landlord.

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4. RENT & FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

4.1 Base Rent: Tenant covenants and agrees to pay to Landlord the sum of [Monthly Rent Amount in Words] Dollars ($[0.00]) per month as base rent ("Rent"). Rent shall be due on or before the first (1st) day of each calendar month in advance, delivered to Landlord at [Payment Address / Electronic Portal Details].

4.2 Grace Period & Late Fees: Rent is late if not received by Landlord by the [5th] day of the month. Tenant shall pay a late fee of [Late Fee Amount, e.g., $50.00 or 8% of rent] for any payment received after this date, which Landlord and Tenant stipulate is a reasonable estimate of administrative costs incurred due to late payment, consistent with Minnesota law.

4.3 Returned Check Fee: Tenant shall pay a fee of [Returned Payment Fee, e.g., $30.00] for any bank-rejected or NSF payment.

4.4 Security Deposit: Upon execution of this Agreement, Tenant shall deposit with Landlord the sum of [Security Deposit Amount] Dollars ($[0.00]) as a security deposit ("Security Deposit").

• Compliance: The Security Deposit shall be held in accordance with Minn. Stat. § 504B.178. Landlord shall pay simple interest at the rate of [Statutory Rate or 1%]% per annum, computed from the first day of the next month following the full payment of the deposit to the last day of the lease, paid annually or upon lease termination.
• Return: Within three (3) weeks of the termination of the tenancy and surrender of the Premises, Landlord shall return the Security Deposit, plus accrued interest, less any lawful deductions for unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, or utility charges owed. Landlord shall provide a written statement itemizing any deductions.

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5. UTILITIES & SERVICES

5.1 Allocation: Tenant shall be solely responsible for arranging and paying for all utility services consumed on the Premises during the term, except for the following, which shall be paid by Landlord: [List Landlord-paid utilities, e.g., Water, Trash, or write "None"].

5.2 Disclosures (Minn. Stat. § 504B.161): Tenant acknowledges receipt of the utility disclosure indicating whether utilities are separately metered and if any utility is shared with other premises.

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6. USE, OCCUPANCY & STATUTORY COVENANTS

6.1 Permitted Use: The Premises shall be used and occupied strictly as a private residential dwelling by Tenant and the following authorized occupants only: [List Names of Minor Children or Additional Occupants].

6.2 Subletting & Assignment: Tenant shall not assign this Agreement, sublet all or any part of the Premises, or grant any license to use the Premises without Landlord’s prior written consent.

6.3 Covenants of Habitability (Minn. Stat. § 504B.161): Landlord covenants that the Premises and all common areas are fit for the use intended, and that Landlord will keep the Premises in reasonable repair, comply with applicable health and safety laws, and maintain the property, except when disrepair has been caused by willful, malicious, or irresponsible conduct of Tenant.

6.4 Criminal Activity & Controlled Substances (Minn. Stat. § 504B.171): Tenant, members of Tenant's household, and guests shall not unlawfully allow controlled substances on the Premises, engage in prostitution, or allow unlawful use of weapons. A violation of this covenant constitutes a substantial violation and grounds for immediate lease termination and eviction.

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7. MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS & ALTERATIONS

7.1 Tenant Maintenance: Tenant shall keep the Premises clean, sanitary, and in good condition. Tenant shall promptly notify Landlord of any structural damage, water leaks, or required repairs.

7.2 Alterations: Tenant shall not paint, wallpaper, or make any structural alterations, additions, or improvements to the Premises without Landlord’s prior written consent.

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8. RIGHT OF ENTRY & INSPECTION

8.1 Landlord Access (Minn. Stat. § 504B.211): Landlord may enter the Premises for a reasonable business purpose and after making a good faith effort to give Tenant reasonable under-the-circumstances notice (presumed to be at least 24 hours), provided the purpose is to:

• Show the unit to prospective buyers or tenants;
• Conduct maintenance, inspections, or repairs; or
• Determine if Tenant is complying with lease terms.
• Emergency: In an emergency, Landlord may enter without prior notice.

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9. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

9.1 Default: Tenant shall be in default under this Agreement if Tenant fails to pay Rent when due, breaches any statutory covenant, or violates any operational rule herein.

9.2 Remedies: Upon default, Landlord may pursue all remedies available under Minnesota law, including statutory eviction (Covenant of Habitability and Unlawful Detainer actions under Minn. Stat. Chapter 504B), recovery of damages, and reasonable attorney's fees where authorized by statute.

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10. GENERAL PROVISIONS

10.1 Notices: Any formal notice required under this Agreement or Minnesota law shall be delivered in writing, delivered personally, or sent via certified mail to the addresses specified in Section 2, or to Tenant's last known address at the Premises.

10.2 Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

10.3 Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Landlord and Tenant and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements. No modification shall be binding unless executed in writing by both parties.

10.4 Governing Law: This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted, and governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota.

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11. EXECUTION & ACKNOWLEDGMENT BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Residential Lease Agreement as of the Effective Date written above.

LANDLORD:

Signature: _____________________________________
Printed Name: __________________________________
Title: _________________________________________
Date: __________________________________________

TENANT(S):

Signature: _____________________________________
Printed Name: __________________________________
Date: __________________________________________

Signature: _____________________________________
Printed Name: __________________________________
Date: __________________________________________

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12. STEP-BY-STEP EXECUTION GUIDE

1. Review and Complete: Fill in all bracketed fields ([...]) with accurate factual information regarding rent amounts, dates, and names. Ensure compliance with local municipal ordinances (e.g., Minneapolis Truth-in-Housing disclosures).
2. Statutory Disclosures: Attach mandatory Minnesota disclosures prior to signing, including the Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (for housing built prior to 1978), Bed Bug Disclosure (Minn. Stat. § 504B.195), and Certificate of Controlled Substance Conviction History (if applicable).
3. Execution: Ensure all adult tenants and the Landlord (or authorized agent) sign and date the signature block in counterpart or original. Provide a fully executed copy to the Tenant within statutory deadlines.
4. Deposit Handling: Deposit the Security Deposit into a designated Minnesota financial institution escrow/trust account in compliance with Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, and provide the Tenant with the required bank identity notification within the statutory window.