Minnesota's Rental Rights
Renting a house or apartment is an alternative means of securing housing for many people who can't afford a home or prefer not to take on the responsibilities that come with property ownership. But renting can also raise a number of issues between landlords and tenants. Minnesota enforces laws that protect both landlords and tenants through the Office of the Attorney General.
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Administration
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Minnesota's Attorney General is in charge of statewide rental rights, including proposing new laws and advising state legislators who work on tenancy law legislation. However, some rental rights in Minnesota fall under federal jurisdiction. This includes laws that govern financial transactions between renters and landlords, since landlords much keep records and pay taxes on their rental income. Local laws also affect Minnesota renters and may include building codes, common law, contract law and the local court statutes that control how renters can take legal action to address their grievances.
Management
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A significant portion of Minnesota's rental rights protection concerns rental managers. This includes manager-landlords and managers who work for the landlord and oversee the day-to-day operations of a rental unit. Minnesota protects renters' rights to privacy by requiring managers to give reasonable notice before entering a rental unit, and only to do so for a reasonable purpose, such as showing the unit to prospective tenants or making repairs. Landlords must also submit background checks on the managers they hire to the Superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which won't allow landlords to hire managers who have been convicted of violent crimes, including murder and kidnapping.
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Types
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Minnesota law designates several specific rights that all tenants receive, regardless of the other rights and responsibilities noted in a lease agreement. This includes a provision that gives renters the right to expect landlords to perform all repairs and maintenance, including making the rental unit reasonably energy-efficient. Renters also have the right to know about any outstanding citations or impending inspections of the rental property before they sign a lease. Finally, Minnesota tenants may continue an existing lease if the landlord sells the property, as the lease simply transfers to the new owner who is under the same legal obligations as the landlord who signed the lease agreement.
Evictions
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Minnesota law protects rental rights even during an eviction process. According to state law, landlords must file an Eviction Action at a district court and may not forcibly remove tenants from the property. Renters must receive a written summons from someone other than the landlord at least seven days before the scheduled court date. Renters then have the right to appear before a district judge and explain the situation, after which the judge will render a verdict that will either allow the tenant to remain in the rental unit or find in favor of the landlord and order an eviction. Every Minnesota tenant has the right to this process before leaving a rental unit unwillingly.
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