If the defendant, in the answer, disclaims any interest in the property, or suffers judgment to be taken against the defendant without answer, the plaintiff cannot recover costs; but if the summons has been served upon the defendant personally, and it is made to appear that after the accrual of the cause of action, and before commencement thereof, the plaintiff demanded in writing of the defendant, and the defendant neglected to execute within a reasonable time thereafter, a good and sufficient quitclaim deed of the property described in the complaint, upon tender of such deed ready for execution, the plaintiff shall nevertheless recover costs.
Minn. Stat. § 559.03
(9558) RL s 4426; 1986 c 444