What should I know about Minneapolis rental licensing requirements?
Answered by Chris Deutsch, Founder & Editor
Licensed Minnesota Realtor #20382264 ·
The short answer
Minneapolis requires a rental license for any property that isn't owner-occupied. This isn't optional — it's a legal requirement with real consequences for non-compliance.
On stage The 60-second answer
Captions on · Transcript below
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The transcript posts with the video.
The longer answer
The basics:
- All non-owner-occupied rental properties must be licensed
- Licenses must be renewed annually
- Fees range from $70-1,000+ depending on unit count and inspection history
- The city conducts periodic inspections
What inspectors look for:
- Working smoke and CO detectors
- Proper egress (escape routes) from bedrooms
- Functional plumbing and heating
- No peeling lead paint (pre-1978 buildings)
- Working electrical outlets and lighting
- Proper unit separation (fire-rated walls between units)
The gotcha: If you buy a property with existing violations, YOU inherit them. The license doesn't transfer cleanly — you need to apply for your own and resolve any outstanding issues.
My pre-purchase checklist for investors:
- Check the city's rental license portal for the property's history
- Ask for the current license and any violation notices
- Get the seller to resolve violations before closing
- Budget $2,000-5,000 for compliance if the property hasn't been inspected recently
The investors who skip this step? They're the ones calling me three months after closing because the city won't let them rent until they fix issues they didn't know existed.
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