Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota Eviction Risk: Moderate

Lake of the Woods County sits at the far northern edge of Minnesota eviction laws, sharing a border with Canada and hosting one of the country's most remote rental markets. With a total population of just 1,430 residents spread across three municipalities, the county carries a 4.5/10 moderate eviction risk score and ranks 83rd out of 87 Minnesota counties - meaning 82 counties in the state present higher eviction risk for landlords. Only four Minnesota eviction laws counties are considered more landlord-friendly by our model.

The county seat of Baudette (population 1,139) anchors the rental market with a score of 4.4/10, making it the lowest-risk community in the county. Williams carries the highest risk locally at 5.1/10, while Angle Inlet - the only permanent U.S. settlement accessible year-round only through Canada or by water - scores 4.8/10. Average rent across the county runs $910 per month, and the average rent burden sits at 25.8% of income, below the 30% threshold that housing researchers typically flag as cost-stressed. Approximately 31% of the county's households rent rather than own, a relatively low renter share that reflects the area's rural character. The average poverty rate stands at 5.8%, among the lower figures seen in Minnesota eviction laws rental markets.

Minnesota eviction laws landlord-tenant law governs all lease relationships in Lake of the Woods County under Minn. Stat. § 504B (Landlord and Tenant). Nonpayment of rent requires a 14-day notice under Minn. Stat. § 504B.291 before an eviction filing can proceed. Material lease violations and month-to-month terminations both require 30 days' notice under Minn. Stat. § 504B.135. Court filing fees run $310 to $410, sheriff lockout fees range from $55 to $150, and attorney fees for eviction proceedings typically fall between $750 and $3,000. Landlords must provide 24 hours' notice before entering an occupied unit per state habitability standards under Minn. Stat. § 504B.161. The county has no local rent control ordinance, and Minnesota eviction laws does not currently preempt local rent control - though no local cap exists here. Source-of-income discrimination protections apply statewide, enforced by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Retaliation against tenants who assert their rights is prohibited under Minn. Stat. § 504B.441. Uncontested evictions typically resolve in 30 to 60 days; contested cases can run 60 to 150 days depending on court scheduling in this rural judicial district.

Lake of the Woods County's small renter population and low rent burden keep its eviction risk near the bottom of Minnesota eviction laws's 87-county range, though landlords operating here still work under the full scope of Minnesota eviction laws's tenant-protective statutory framework.