Bill Proposes Allowing Minnesota Tenants To Pay For Duplex Repairs

The state legislature is back in session. That can only mean one thing. More landlord/tenant laws.

While a couple of bills have been introduced, the one most likely to impact small multifamily property owners would give tenants the right to make their own repairs to the property.

Rather than escrow rent until a housing provider repairs an item cited as a code violation, the tenant must provide a copy of the written notice of a code violation if an inspection has occurred. If there hasn’t been an inspection, then the tenant is required to provide the housing provider with an explanation of the repair needed and an estimate to fix it.

Depending on the violation, the landlord will have anywhere from 7- 14 days to fix the item. The resident must also inform the landlord they intend to deduct the cost of the repair from their rent if it is not repaired in that time and the tenant pays for the cost of the repairs themselves.

A tenant may also contract for necessary repairs under the same process for the building’s common area if it involves a health or safety item. In this case, the resident is required to obtain bids from two separate contractors to the landlord 24 hours before the repair work starts, unless the item is an emergency. In that case, estimates should be provided to the landlord as soon as possible.

To read the proposed bill SF2448 in greater detail, click here.

And if you find anything in it objectionable, be sure to reach out to your state legislator and share your thoughts.