Landlord Late Rent Notices in Minnesota

Should Minnesota Landlords Provide A Late Rent Notice?

Many Minnesota landlords are unsure as to whether to provide a notice of late rent, or how to provide such a notice. Minnesota law, with the exception of some cities such as Minneapolis, does not require a notice of late rent prior to eviction. However, providing a tenant with a notice of late rent can be an effective tool in collecting rent and avoid the expense and difficulty of an eviction.

Rent Reminder Notice

As a tool to collect unpaid rent, Minnesota late rent notices are an art, not a science. Some landlords integrate automatic payment reminder systems that send out a notice by phone or email, notifying the tenant of rent. Others prefer paper notices, mailed to the tenant’s address. In either case, sending these notices before rent is due can be a very effective tactic. While some tenants are unwilling or unable to promptly pay rent, a common cause of failure to pay rent is simply forgetfulness. A landlord who reminds their tenants to pay prior to the rent becoming due, is often rewarded with a much higher rate of tenants paying on time.

Late Rent Notice

In addition to providing an early reminder notice before rent is due, landlords also should usually provide a late rent notice, once rent becomes past due. There are many options on how to send a late rent notice, and it is usually advisable to place the notice in a form that is easily documentable. Many landlords prefer email or text notices, although others stay true to mailing out such notices. Mailing late rent notices do add an additional charge, particularly if a landlord tracks the notice to ensure that the tenant received it. While these additional charges may not be expensive, they can cut into a Minnesota landlord’s bottom line. Because, in most Minnesota cities, there is no requirement to send a late rent notice at all, landlords enjoy great flexibility in terms of how and when they choose to send a late rent notice.

Once a landlord decides how and when to send a notice, they must decide on what the notice should contain. Again, outside of a couple Minnesota cities (such as Minneapolis), there is no prescriptive format to follow. However, it is usually beneficial to include such basic information as the full names of each tenant, the name of the landlord, the date, and the exact amount of rent due, along with any late fees. Some landlords also choose to add a copy of a balance sheet or tenant ledger, showing how fees were calculated, and how much is due. It can also be effective to tell the tenant what the landlord intends to do if rent is not paid, such as detailing the commencement of an eviction action.

Minnesota Landlord Attorneys

Unfortunately, even the most well written rent notices do not work all the time, and many landlords are faced with tenants who fail to pay rent. If you are faced with a nonpayment of rent situation, it is important to contact an experienced team of eviction attorneys who can assist you through each step of the process. The eviction attorneys at RAM Law PLLC have experience dealing with all varieties of eviction cases, and can provide specific advice and representation to meet your needs. Call our attorneys now at 651-468-2103 or submit our online form to set up your free consultation.