Rent Increase Rules After Accessibility Upgrades in Minnesota

Accessibility & Disability Accommodations Minnesota published: June 21, 2025 Flag of Minnesota

Living with a disability often means your home needs to be accessible. In Minnesota, both renters and landlords may wonder: if accessibility upgrades are made, can the landlord increase the rent? Understanding your rights, responsibilities, and the relevant state laws helps you make informed decisions and protect your housing stability.

Understanding Accessibility Modifications in Minnesota Rentals

Accessibility modifications are physical changes made to a rental unit to accommodate a tenant’s disability. These might include installing grab bars, ramps, wider doorways, or special fixtures. Under Minnesota Statutes § 504B.205, tenants with disabilities have the right to request reasonable modifications at their own expense, unless required by law for all tenants or unless a public program pays for the improvement.[1]

Who Pays for Accessibility Upgrades?

  • Tenant Responsibility: In most private rentals, the tenant organizes and pays for disability-related upgrades, often with approval from the landlord.
  • Landlord Responsibility: If the building receives federal funds (like Section 8) or if local codes require it for all tenants, the landlord may need to absorb the cost.

Landlords can require tenants to return the property to its original condition at the end of the tenancy, with reasonable wear and tear excepted.[1]

Can a Landlord Raise the Rent After Accessibility Upgrades?

In Minnesota, the law does not automatically allow a landlord to raise your rent simply because you or a public program made accessibility upgrades to your unit. However, there are circumstances when a rent increase might occur:

  • Landlord Paid for Improvements: If the landlord completes and pays for the upgrades, they may seek a reasonable rent increase to reflect the higher value of the property.
  • Rent Control: If you live in a city with rent control or stabilization ordinances (such as Saint Paul), additional local rules may limit or regulate rent increases, including after improvements.
  • Proper Notice Required: By law, all rent increases require a written notice at least one rental period in advance (usually 30 days for month-to-month tenancies).

There is no specific Minnesota statute that gives landlords the right to raise rent solely because a tenant arranged or paid for accessibility upgrades themselves. Any rent increase must still comply with general rules under Minnesota Landlord and Tenant Law.[2]

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Required Forms and Steps for Renters

If you are requesting or have completed accessibility modifications, consider documenting the process to protect your rights:

  • Reasonable Accommodation or Modification Request Form: While Minnesota does not require a state-provided form, many renters use written requests to landlords. State agencies like Minnesota Housing offer guidance on sample letters and steps: Sample Reasonable Modification Request Form (PDF).[3]
Keep written records of all communication with your landlord about accessibility upgrades, including any agreement regarding responsibility and changes in rent.

Practical Example

If you need a ramp and your landlord agrees, but the landlord covers the cost, they might give you a 30-day written notice of a proposed rent increase to reflect the improvement. If you paid for the ramp, the landlord cannot raise rent just because of the added feature.

What To Do If You Disagree With a Rent Increase

If you believe a rent increase is unfair or discriminatory, you may:

Key Legislation

FAQs About Rent Increases and Accessibility Upgrades

  1. Can my landlord raise my rent because I installed an accessibility ramp?
    If you paid for the ramp, the landlord cannot raise your rent just for having the added accommodation. If the landlord paid for and installed it, a rent increase may be possible with proper notice.
  2. What notice must a landlord give for a rent increase in Minnesota?
    For most tenancies, the landlord must provide written notice at least one rental period (usually 30 days) in advance.
  3. Is there an official government form for requesting an accessibility modification?
    No official statewide form, but documented written requests (such as the sample from Minnesota Housing) are widely accepted.
  4. Who handles disputes over rent increases or disability discrimination?
    The Minnesota District Court Housing Court manages tenancy cases, and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights addresses discrimination complaints.
  5. Can I be evicted for refusing a rent increase after accessibility upgrades?
    Landlords must follow legal procedures for rent increases and evictions; you cannot be evicted just for exercising your rights to accommodations, but ignoring legal rent increases might lead to non-renewal or other actions.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

  1. Minnesota Statutes § 504B.205 - Reasonable Modifications
  2. Minnesota Residential Landlord and Tenant Statutes (Chapter 504B)
  3. Sample Reasonable Modification Request Form - MN Housing

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Bob Jones
Bob Jones

Editor & Researcher, Tenant Rights USA

Bob writes and reviews tenant law content for various regions. They’re passionate about housing justice and simplifying legal protections for renters everywhere.

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