Minn. Stat. § 504B § 504B.235
DEFINITIONS.
Operative Text
Subdivision 1.Applicability. The definitions in this section apply to sections 504B.235 to 504B.245. Subd. 2.Proper identification. "Proper identification" means information generally considered sufficient to identify a person, including a Minnesota driver's license, a Minnesota identification card, other forms of identification provided by a unit of government, a notarized statement of identity with a specimen signature of the person, or other reasonable form of identification. Subd. 3.Residential tenant report. "Residential tenant report" means a written, oral, or other communication by a residential tenant screening service that includes information concerning an individual's creditworthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living, and that is collected, used, or expected to be used for the purpose of making decisions relating to residential tenancies or residential tenancy applications. Subd. 4.Residential tenant screening service. "Residential tenant screening service" means a person or business regularly engaged in the practice of gathering, storing, or disseminating information about tenants or assembling tenant reports for monetary fees, dues, or on a cooperative nonprofit basis.
Minn. Stat. § 504B.235 establishes the key definitions that govern Minnesota's residential tenant screening framework, covering what counts as 'proper identification,' what qualifies as a 'residential tenant report,' and which businesses are considered 'residential tenant screening services.' These definitions set the scope for the rules found in §§ 504B.235 to 504B.245, meaning any rights or obligations in those sections hinge on whether a person, document, or business fits these defined categories. The definitions are intentionally broad, capturing written, oral, and other communications about a prospective tenant's credit, character, or personal characteristics when used in rental decisions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Minn. Stat. § 504B.235, landlords and property managers who use third-party services to evaluate rental applicants should confirm whether those services qualify as 'residential tenant screening services' as defined in this section, since that classification triggers specific obligations under §§ 504B.235 to 504B.245. Compliant operators typically verify that any identification collected from applicants meets the 'proper identification' standard outlined here, which includes government-issued IDs, Minnesota driver's licenses, or other reasonable forms. Understanding these definitions helps operators ensure that their screening practices align with the broader statutory framework.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Minn. Stat. § 504B.235 defines the terms that underpin Minnesota's tenant screening protections, including what information about you can be gathered and shared as a 'residential tenant report' and which companies are regulated as 'residential tenant screening services.' Knowing these definitions helps renters understand when their rights under §§ 504B.235 to 504B.245 may apply to a landlord's screening process. Tenants who believe a screening service or report has been misused may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization or reviewing the full statutory framework for available remedies.
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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