Flanagan, state leaders and advocates highlight new tenants’ rights laws

Emily Baude KSTP

On Thursday, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and housing advocates from around the state met to highlight new laws aimed at protecting tenants’ rights.

Flanagan was joined by Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten, Rep. Esther Agbaje, Minnesota Deputy Attorney General John Keller, and advocates for housing for a press conference at the Capitol.

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As previously reported by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, new tenant rights that went into effect on Monday include provisions like:

  • Landlords are required to provide heat of at least 68 degrees in residential dwellings between Oct. 1 and April 30 unless it’s above 60 degrees outside.
  • Landlords that allow animals can’t require them to be declawed or devocalized.
  • Landlord entry into residential units is restricted to being between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and must have at least 24 hours of notice.
  • Eviction actions alleging financial shortcomings must include a delivered letter to tenants, laying out what is owed and any rental rights and assistance they may be eligible for. Landlords then must wait 14 days to proceed with the eviction.
  • Emergency repair incidents are specified, including loss of running water or sanitary facilities, no heat or a broken refrigerator.

Any tenants with questions can call Home Line, a tenant advocacy organization, at 612-728-5767. The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office also encourages anyone suspecting a violation to report it online.