This recent Star Tribune article highlights the chaos and uncertainty North Minneapolis residents now face as they figure out next steps to getting their lives back on track. http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/122481804.html?page=2&c=y The article notes that most renters do not have renter’s insurance, leaving them without many assets to fall back on. What the article does not discuss, however, is that these families do have the right to their security deposits.
According to Minnesota Statute 504B.178 subd. 3(b)(1), tenants have the right to recover their full security deposits within five days of the legal condemnation of their apartment. If a tenant’s rental unit that was hit by the storm is no longer habitable, it may qualify as a legal condemnation.
The request to the landlord for the deposit must be in writing, and it must be mailed first class, providing a forwarding address for the landlord to mail the check.
Many residents who are now homeless from this disaster may be struggling to meet these basic conditions that many of us take for granted. The good news is that the forwarding address does not have to be an address where they are living. It could be that of a relative or trusted friend. While a returned security deposit is no match for a renter’s insurance claim, a few hundred dollars can help a family in crisis meet any number of needs.
If you are renter who lost your home to last weekend’s storm, you may call Legal Aid at 612- 332-1441 or Minneapolis Housing Services at 612-673-3003 for more information.
