Welcome to the neighborhood! This page has resources and opportunities for tenants renting in SE Como. You are represented by your neighborhood organization, SECIA, the Southeast Como Improvement Association. SECIA represents ALL neighborhood residents, whether you are a lifelong homeowner resident or you just moved in as a brand new tenant — SECIA works for you!
YOUR VOICE MATTERS!
We want to know what matters MOST to you in your neighborhood, about your experiences and priorities as a renter, and how to best connect!
LET’S GET ORGANIZED
What’s your tenant story in SE Como? Would you like to help build a Tenant Coalition in SE Como? We’d like to help support you in doing that. Interested in learning more? Contact [email protected].
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.
Tell us what housing topics YOU want to talk about: Want to talk about how SECIA could help diversify access to affordable housing through paths to home ownership? What kinds of improvements to rentals in SE Como are most needed? SECIA’s future priorities and actions in how we use available neighborhood funds and resources must respond to the housing issues that matter most to SE Como tenants and residents. Reach out to [email protected] to let us know what housing topics you want to discuss at future SE Como housing forums!