Do this today
- Keep the paper. Photograph every page.
- Write the date, time, and how it arrived.
- Look for Ramsey County Housing Court, a case number, or an appearance date.
- If a court is named, call legal aid the same day. Do not guess the deadline.
What were you handed?
| The paper | What it usually is | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord notice | A step before a court case. Not a judgment, and not a lockout. | Date it. Keep the original. Write down how it arrived. Check whether it offers a chance to fix the problem. |
| Court papers | A case has been filed. A court name, case number, or appearance date is running. | Call legal aid the same day. Do not ignore it. Bring the papers and a timeline of how you received them. |
| Lockout or shutoff | Locks changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit. | Call 211 and legal aid today. In most states a landlord may not do this personally. Police non-emergency can document it. |
Is a notice in St. Paul the same as being evicted?
No. A written landlord notice is a step. Ramsey County Housing Court is where a possession case is heard. Papers that name a court, a case number, or an appearance date mean a case has been filed — that is same-day legal-aid work. St. Paul and Minneapolis are separate local layers. Use the city of the unit.
What should I be careful not to do?
Do not ignore court papers. Do not assume a lockout is lawful because a notice looks official. Do not sign a move-out or cash-for-keys paper you have not read with an advocate. St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections is not a substitute for legal aid once a case is filed.
Is St. Paul the same as Minneapolis for renters?
Minnesota Chapter 504B is shared. St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections and local tenant-protection ordinances are the City layer. Minneapolis is a different desk on this site. Ramsey County Housing Court hears many cases.
The St. Paul layer
St. Paul and Minneapolis are separate local layers. Use the city of the unit.
Minnesota landlord and tenant chapter (Minn. Stat. §§ 504B.001 to 504B.501) is the Minnesota floor. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
St. Paul questions
Can my landlord in St. Paul evict me without going to court?
No. Changing locks or shutting off utilities is not how possession is completed. Ramsey County Housing Court is the court. If the paper names it, call legal aid the same day.
How long does an eviction notice last in St. Paul?
That number is in Minnesota landlord and tenant chapter, and it can depend on the reason, the housing type, and any local ordinance. This site does not reprint it. Open the chapter or call legal aid with the paper in your hand.
Is St. Paul the same as Minneapolis for renters?
Minnesota Chapter 504B is shared. St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections and local tenant-protection ordinances are the City layer. Minneapolis is a different desk on this site. Ramsey County Housing Court hears many cases.
What number should I call in St. Paul?
Danger: 911. Mental-health crisis: 988. City services: 311. Court papers: LawHelp.org the same day. St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections does not replace legal aid when a case is filed.
National answers on this desk
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org