Whether you are a landlord or a renter, Minnesota enacted several laws starting August 1, 2010. Here is a sampling of important laws that are now in effect:
#1 – If you pay your rent in cash, your landlord MUST provide you a receipt. If the landlord fails to provide you with a receipt, the landlord is violating the law.
#2 – If you pay rent by money order, you can use its stub or a copy of the money order as proof of payment.
#3 – Starting August 1, 2011 for new leases and starting August 1, 2012 for renewed leases, if the landlord’s lease allows the landlord to get attorney fees for winning in court, then if you win over the landlord in court, you are allowed to get your attorney fees recovered. This is true even if the lease does not provide a way for you to recover attorney fees.
#4 – Landlords who do not divide utilities fairly among tenants MUST refund each tenant whichever is more: (1) $500 or (2) triple the damages.
#5 – If a landlord refuses to return your security deposit in bad faith, you can now receive up to $500 in addition to double the security deposit back.
#6 – Landlords must keep your abandoned property for 28 days. If the landlord throws out your property before 28 days are up, the landlord MUST pay you whichever is more: (1) $1000 or (2) triple the damages.
For more information about these new laws, please go to this link or contact my office.
