Rental Licensing
Every rental property in Minneapolis must have a license. This includes single-family houses, owner-occupied duplexes, and relative homestead properties.
Regulatory Services assigns a tier to every rental property, and the tier determines its inspection cycle and fees. The tier is calculated using the property's violation history and the condition of the structure. Detailed property violation history information and rental license tiers are available online.
Why License Rental Properties?
The intent of the rental license ordinance is to:
- Promote the health, safety, and welfare of the general public.
- Assure preservation of the existing housing supply.
- Help maintain property values.
- Work toward eliminating substandard and deteriorating rental housing.
- Maintain a living environment that contributes to healthful individual and family living.
General Rules
- A rental license is required for any dwelling unit where the owner is not occupying the unit, even if no rent is paid or if the unit is occupied by a relative.
- Rental license fees are due March 1 of each year.
- Licenses are not transferable.
- A Who to Call poster (pdf) must be posted in the property with the rental license certificate in a conspicuous location.
- Any changes to the names, addresses, and other information concerning the persons on this application must be provided in writing to the Department of Regulatory Services within ten days.
- When selling a rental dwelling, the owner must notify the buyer in writing of all unresolved housing violation orders and administrative citations issued by the Department of Regulatory Services.
- Landlords are required by City ordinance to notify tenants or prospective tenants of pending mortgage foreclosure or cancellation of contract for deed involving the licensed property.
Applying for a Rental License
There are two ways to submit an application for a Minneapolis rental license. You can apply in person at Minneapolis Development Review, or you can mail in a completed application to:
Department of Regulatory Services
Rental Licensing
250 South 4th Street, Room 300
Minneapolis, MN 55415
You can find a downloadable copy of the application here. Be sure to read the instructions on the last two pages of the application.
Rental Property Management Courses
Attending a rental property management course can be helpful to you as a landlord or property manager, whether you have just acquired your first property or you have been in the business for years. Additionally, owners and property managers who can present proof of attendance at a recognized property management course can receive a $250 discount on the $1000 conversion fee, or a $250 reimbursement on a conversion fee paid by the owner or property manager in the last two years.
Updating Rental License Information
Requests to change a contact address or phone number on a rental license can be made over the phone by calling 612.673.3000. Changing or adding a new contact person of record requires a resubmittal of the rental license application with a notarized signature from the new contact and the owner.
If a person’s name has legally changed due to marriage or other reasons, a copy of the marriage certificate or a signed and notarized affidavit of the name change must be submitted.
Local Contact
If the property owner resides outside of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area—defined as Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Le Sueur, McLeod, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Washington, or Wright Counties—the owner must name a local contact person as their manager.
Your local contact will receive all written communication from the City of Minneapolis, including the annual renewal and violation notices, so it’s important that this individual’s contact information is kept current.
Foreclosed Properties
Rental properties in foreclosure must maintain a rental license until the redemption date stated on the foreclosure documents. The redemption date and other foreclosure information can be found here.
Relative Homestead
If the property is a relative homestead, a rental license is required. If you occupy the property and have a family member living with you in the same unit, a rental license is not required. For more information about how to relative homestead a property, please call 612.673.3000.
Roommates
A rental license is not required for your roommates as long as you own and occupy the property. However, the number of roommates you can have is limited by the Housing Maintenance and Zoning Codes. Your license will include this information, and you can also find it here.
Closing a Rental License
If a property no longer requires a rental license, you must notify the department in writing or call 612.673.3000.
Last updated Oct 9, 2019
