What Stops You From Selling Your Minneapolis Duplex?

The dude 3D character x2 climbing Brick wall.

What’s the biggest obstacle to selling your Minneapolis duplex?

Tenants.

Having tenants is a good thing. But having tenants who refuse to allow Realtors to show the property because they haven’t been given 24 hour notice is a problem.

Why?

Two reasons.

First, because there is no such law requiring a landlord to give tenants 24 hour notice.

Second, duplex buyers typically want to go see several listings at a time. An opportunity to do that may open on their calendar 23 hours before they want to go. Their Realtor will typically schedule properties to see that are in the same geographic area.

The next time they go look at duplexes for sale, they will likely be looking in another neighborhood.

According to page 17 of the Minnesota Landlord and Tenants Handbook, a landlord may enter a tenant’s unit for “reasonable business purpose” after making a good faith effort to give the tenant reasonable notice.

No where in the handbook are “good faith effort” or “reasonable notice” defined.

What is defined, however, are examples of a reasonable business purpose. They include:

1. Showing the unit to prospective tenants.
2. Showing the unit to prospective buyers or an insurance agent.
3. Performing maintenance work.
4. Showing the unit to state, county or local officials (such as building inspectors).
5. Checking on a tenant causing a disturbance within the unit.
6. Checking on a tenant the landlord believes is violating the lease.
7. Checking to see if a person is staying in the unit who is not on the lease.
8. Checking the unit when a tenant moves out.
9. Performing housekeeping work in a senior housing unit.

When signing a lease with a tenant, or before you put your Minneapolis duplex up for sale, it’s paramount you be clear with the tenant as to what their rights are…and are not.