Short answer. Cases go to the District Court (Housing Court). A tenant who disagrees must appear in court at the hearing. Who carries out a lockout: sheriff.
At a glance
- Court
- District Court (Housing Court). Eviction cases are heard in Housing Court under the rules for district courts.
"eviction cases are heard in “Housing Court” governed by General Rules of Practice for District Courts"
Source 1 - Filing fee
- About $325, per the Attorney General's handbook; the court's fee schedule has the current amount.
"the filing fee (now about $325)"
Source 3 - Hearing after filing
- The hearing is set 7 to 14 days out (5 to 7 on an expedited request), and service must be complete at least 7 days before.
"Service of the Summons and Complaint must be completed at least 7 days before the hearing date."
Source 1 - Time to answer or appear
- A tenant who disagrees must appear in court at the hearing.
"they must appear in court at the time of the hearing"
Source 1 - Judgment to writ
- The court issues the writ immediately on judgment, but stays it for a reasonable period of up to seven days in most cases.
"immediately issue a writ of recovery of premises and order to vacate"
Source 2 - Writ to lockout
- The writ must be given to the tenant at least 24 hours before the eviction, which only a law enforcement officer can carry out.
"must be provided to the tenant at least 24 hours before the actual eviction."
Source 3 - Who carries out the lockout
- Sheriff. The landlord takes the writ to the sheriff, who acts if the tenant doesn't move.
"authorizing the sheriff to take certain actions if the tenant does not move voluntarily."
Source 1 - Paying to stop the case
- When nonpayment is the only ground, the tenant can 'pay and stay' by bringing the past-due rent, interest, court costs and a capped attorney fee to the hearing.
"redeem or “pay and stay”"
Source 1
Sample timeline: filed Monday, December 7, 2026
Earliest under the statute; courts' calendars often take longer.
- Answer or appear: Monday, December 14, 2026
- Hearing or trial: Monday, December 14, 2026
- Judgment: Monday, December 14, 2026
- Writ or warrant of possession: Monday, December 14, 2026
- Earliest lockout: Tuesday, December 15, 2026
Another date: open the estimator.
Help the official pages point to
- When nonpayment is the only ground, the tenant can 'pay and stay' by bringing the past-due rent, interest, court costs and a capped attorney fee to the hearing.
- Statewide Self-Help Center, 651-435-6535 (source 1)
Not stated on the pages we read: right to counsel (statewide), diversion or mediation (statewide).
Official sources
- Minnesota Judicial Branch: Instructions, Eviction Action Complaint (HOU101, rev. 1/24) (checked November 2026)
- Minnesota Statutes 504B.345 (checked November 2026)
- Minnesota Attorney General: Landlords and Tenants handbook, Other Important Laws (checked November 2026)
General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Not a court form. Earliest under the statute; courts' calendars often take longer.
Common questions
Which court hears eviction cases in Minnesota?
District Court (Housing Court). Eviction cases are heard in Housing Court under the rules for district courts.
How long does a tenant in Minnesota have to respond?
A tenant who disagrees must appear in court at the hearing.
How soon after filing is the Minnesota hearing?
The hearing is set 7 to 14 days out (5 to 7 on an expedited request), and service must be complete at least 7 days before. That's the statute's window; the court's own calendar decides the actual date.
When can a Minnesota landlord get the writ after winning?
The court issues the writ immediately on judgment, but stays it for a reasonable period of up to seven days in most cases.
How long between the writ and a lockout in Minnesota?
The writ must be given to the tenant at least 24 hours before the eviction, which only a law enforcement officer can carry out.
Who carries out an eviction in Minnesota?
Sheriff. The landlord takes the writ to the sheriff, who acts if the tenant doesn't move. The officer acts on the court's order.
Can paying the rent stop a Minnesota eviction case?
When nonpayment is the only ground, the tenant can 'pay and stay' by bringing the past-due rent, interest, court costs and a capped attorney fee to the hearing.
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