2025 Session Last amended: 2016 session

§ 559.17 — Mortgage Not a Conveyance; Mortgagee Cannot Possess

Plain-Language Summary

A mortgage does not transfer ownership of the property to the lender. The lender cannot take possession of the property without going through foreclosure. However, a borrower can assign rental income from the property to the lender as extra security, and the lender can collect those rents if the borrower defaults.

Practical Notes
Minnesota is a ’lien theory’ state, meaning a mortgage is just a lien (a financial claim), not a transfer of ownership. This is different from some other states. The rent assignment rules apply only to commercial properties and larger residential properties (more than four units).