Because of the stories we’ve heard from renters, HOME Line has and will be working to pass legislation to ensure that renters have the rights, resources, and information they need to live stably in their homes. Our legislative proposals focus on three areas of concern: evictions and expungements, heat and repairs, and lease fairness. We believe our proposals are reasonable approaches to address harmful rental housing practices and issues that renters contacting our tenant hotline inquire about regularly.
We know through stories shared by tenants on our hotline just how devastating evictions can be. We also know that evictions can be filed very quickly, often without a tenant’s knowledge. Minnesota is one of only 4 states that does NOT require a landlord to formally notify a tenant before filing an eviction action for nonpayment of rent. Another harmful issue is that the simple filing of an eviction action by a landlord appears immediately on a tenant’s record before the court has rendered a judgment or even heard the case. Once an eviction is filed, it appears on the renter’s record as an “eviction” indefinitely. Our legislation calls for a 14-day pre-filing notice before landlords can formally file for eviction. Furthermore, we call for eviction reporting to be prohibited until a court judgment is rendered in favor of the landlord. This gives tenants the opportunity to remedy the situation before it harms their record.
Another issue of concern shared by tenants is that, too often, renters in Minnesota have little recourse when their landlords do not provide timely and required maintenance or repairs. So far, Minnesota law only allows certain emergencies: lack of running water, hot water, heat, usable stove or oven, toilet or sanitary facilities, electricity, and any other essential services or facilities to get an expedited process to court. HOME Line is advocating that the list of emergencies be expanded to include such things as non-working air conditioners (if included in the lease), refrigerators, and elevators. As a renter, your home should be able to provide the basic essentials you need to keep yourself and your family safe, healthy, and comfortable.
Tenants calling our hotline have also reported issues with lease fairness, with the main issue being fees for non-optional services such as move-in and move-out fees, administrative fees, surprise trash and service fees, and lease processing fees. Our proposal calls for non-refundable fees for non-optional services to be prohibited to ensure tenants do not face unaffordable, concealed charges after signing a lease. Such fees, if necessary, should just be included in the rent.
As noted earlier, none of our proposals would have been created without information provided by tenants. We need you now more than ever to contact us with stories about problems, like these, you may be facing/have faced so that we can make sure everyone and everything is fairly represented under the law. Using the link provided, you can share your voice and know that your story matters and will make a difference.
If you share your story, we intend to pass it along to state legislators. Our elected representatives get their power from people like you, so embrace it. Share your stories with us now, and we will make sure that they do not go unheard.
Sammie Balint
HOME Line Public Policy Intern
Does the link above to share my story not work? I clicked on it and when a new window was opened, it said I needed permission. I would love to share my rental story, but not sure what or where to do so. Thank you!
Out-state Renters need better access to the courts to handle privacy issues.
My landlord continually accessed my apartment without my permission. I needed to deal with the problem legally. I live in Cook County in a HUD Senior Independent-living apartment building. Legal Aid will not represent Cook County renters in Rent Escrow actions regarding Minnesota Statute 504B.
I was forced to represent myself and did win one count. My landlord is now scheduling apartment repairs for all tenants.
With a rise in duplex, triplex and 4-plex properties in Minneapolis, tenants need updated protections and easy to interpret information on the different rules and definitions. Many tenants are being told they’re responsible for covering unreasonable maintenance and utility costs for such properties and vague language in leases adds further confusion.