Minnesota late rent fee: the legal maximum
Minnesota caps late fees at 8% of the monthly rent. There is no statutory grace period, so the lease controls when the fee starts.
Maximum late fee at common rents
Applying 8% of monthly rent once the rent is late.
| Monthly rent | Maximum fee |
|---|---|
| $1,000.00 | $80.00 |
| $1,500.00 | $120.00 |
| $2,000.00 | $160.00 |
| $3,000.00 | $240.00 |
What the statute says
Late fee may not exceed 8% of the overdue rent payment and only if the written lease specifies when it is imposed; no statutory grace period. For housing-assistance tenancies the fee is computed only on the tenant's share (para. (c), added 2024 c 118 s 13).
How this applies in practice
- A late fee must be written into the lease. The statute caps what the lease may say; it does not create a fee on its own.
- With no statutory grace period, the lease decides when the fee starts; many leases allow three to five days.
- Any amount above the cap cannot be collected or deducted from the deposit, and in several states charging an unlawful fee exposes the landlord to damages.
- Late fees are separate from interest on unpaid rent and from eviction filing costs, which have their own rules.
Related Minnesota rules
- Pay-or-quit notice: 14 days. Notice periods in Minnesota.
- Security deposit: No statutory limit; returned Within three weeks (21 days) after termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions; 5 days if the tenant leaves because the building is condemned. Deposit rules in Minnesota.
- All rules on one page: Minnesota landlord and tenant law.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum late fee for rent in Minnesota?
8% of monthly rent. Late fee may not exceed 8% of the overdue rent payment and only if the written lease specifies when it is imposed; no statutory grace period. For housing-assistance tenancies the fee is computed only on the tenant's share (para. (c), added 2024 c 118 s 13).
Is there a grace period for rent in Minnesota?
Not by statute. The lease may set one; if it is silent, a fee can be charged the day after the due date.
Can a Minnesota landlord charge a daily late fee?
Only if the total stays within the statutory cap (8% of monthly rent). A daily fee that accumulates past the cap is unenforceable above it.
Can a landlord charge a late fee that is not in the lease in Minnesota?
No. A late fee is a contract term. If the lease does not provide for one, the landlord cannot impose it, and in Minnesota the statutory cap applies on top of whatever the lease says.