Tenant Resources

DID YOU KNOW…?

Tenants’ Rights in Minnesota This booklet from LawHelpMN gives general information to help you better understand your legal rights as a person renting a place to live: https://test-lawhelp.pantheonsite.io/self-help-library/booklet/tenants-rights-minnesota

Repairs: If your landlord does not make repairs, there are steps you can take to make your landlord fix the problem.

View a guide at: https://www.lawhelpmn.org/self-help-library/fact-sheet/getting-landlord-make-repairs

More renting guides on specific topics like evictions, deposits, safety, and more can be found at https://www.lawhelpmn.org

Free Legal Help for Renters: HOME Line provides free and low-cost legal, organizing, education, and advocacy services so that tenants throughout Minnesota can solve their rental housing problems. Call 612-728-5767 or visit their website at https://homelinemn.org.

You have a right to know the actual energy costs at your next apartment! Under the new Minneapolis Renter Energy Disclosure ordinance, apartments with 5 more more units must disclose this info to prospective tenants at or before the time of rental application. Renters-Learn more HERE or by calling 311.

Cold Weather Rule:
The  Minnesota  Legislature  enacted  the  Cold  Weather  Rule  to  protect  tenants and  homeowners  from  having  their heat  disconnected  in  winter  (October  15  through  April  15)  if  they  are  unable  to  pay  their  utility bills.  Under the Rule  a  utility  may  not  disconnect  a  customer whose  household  income is  at  or below  50  percent  of the  state  median income if  the customer makes  timely  payments  under an  acceptable  installment payment  agreement.  The  Rule  applies  to  all  natural  gas  and  electric  utilities. More information relating to the Legal Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants is available from the MN Attorney in English or Español.

You have a right to know if your rental property is affected by environmental contamination and what’s being done about it. In SE Como, there are two historical sites of trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination affecting some properties through “vapor intrusion”, in both the related General Mills Superfund Site and the SE Hennepin groundwater and vapor site. Rental property owners are required by Mpls ordinance 244.275 to disclose this information to renters in the TCE contamination zone before a new lease is signed. If you have questions or want to report a violation of the ordinance, call 311. Learn more and get links to detailed renter notification requirements in English, Español, Hmoob, and Soomaaliga here.