Locked Out By The Landlord
Minn. Stat. 504B.375 — a court order putting the tenant back in, executed by the sheriff at once
Removing or excluding a residential tenant, which can include cutting utilities or removing doors, windows or locks, lets the tenant present a verified petition to the district court describing the premises and the facts. If it clearly appears the exclusion was unlawful, the court immediately orders the tenant back into possession, and the sheriff executes the order immediately, entering if no one in charge can be found.
Treble damages or $500. When a landlord interrupts electricity, heat, gas or water service to the tenant, the tenant may recover treble damages or $500, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney fees. The recovery is only actual damages if the tenant gave no notice of the interruption, or the landlord restored the service or tried to within a reasonable time, or the interruption was for repairs or safety and service came back within a reasonable time.
A misdemeanor. Unlawfully and intentionally removing or excluding a tenant, or intentionally interrupting utilities to do it, is a misdemeanor. An intentional interruption is presumed to be meant to remove or exclude the tenant, and the landlord has to rebut that.
A lease term waiving either protection is void.
Sources for this section (3)
- Minn. Stat. 504B.375 — Unlawful exclusion or removal; action for recovery of possession
- Minn. Stat. 504B.221 — Unlawful termination of utilities
- Minn. Stat. 504B.225 — Intentional ouster and interruption of utilities; misdemeanor
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Minnesota attorney.