Minn. Stat. § 504B § 504B.165
UNLAWFUL DESTRUCTION; DAMAGES.
Operative Text
(a) An action may be brought for willful and malicious destruction of leased residential rental property. The prevailing party may recover actual damages, costs, and reasonable attorney fees, as well as other equitable relief as determined by the court. (b) The remedies provided in this section are in addition to and shall not limit other rights or remedies available to landlords and tenants. Any provision, whether oral or written, of any lease or other agreement, whereby any provision of this section is waived by a tenant, is contrary to public policy and void.
Under Minn. Stat. § 504B.165, Minnesota law allows a civil lawsuit to be filed when leased residential rental property is willfully and maliciously destroyed. The party who prevails in such an action can recover actual damages, court costs, and reasonable attorney fees, along with any other equitable relief the court finds appropriate. These remedies exist alongside any other legal rights available under state law, and any lease clause attempting to waive these protections is considered void as a matter of public policy.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Minn. Stat. § 504B.165 gives property owners a legal avenue to pursue compensation when a tenant intentionally and maliciously damages a rental unit. A compliant operator generally documents the condition of the property at move-in and move-out, retains records of any damage, and understands that this statute's remedies stack on top of other available legal rights rather than replacing them. Because attorney fees and costs may be recoverable by the prevailing party, operators typically maintain thorough documentation to support any potential claim.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Minn. Stat. § 504B.165 also protects tenants, since the prevailing-party remedy applies to both sides and the statute's rights cannot be signed away in a lease. Any lease clause purporting to waive these protections is void under Minnesota public policy, meaning a landlord cannot contractually strip a tenant of the rights this section provides. Tenants who believe this provision is relevant to their situation may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for general information about how the statute applies.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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