Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota Senate Bill SF1565

Introduced
2/17/25  

Caption

Landlord covenants modification and effective date clarifications

Impact

The bill will potentially have a significant impact on existing laws governing landlord-tenant relationships in Minnesota. By reinforcing the responsibilities of landlords to keep residential premises safe and livable, the legislation seeks to protect tenants from neglect and unsafe living conditions. Furthermore, the inclusion of provisions for the escrow of rent allows tenants to withhold rent unless specified repairs are made, thus providing them with a mechanism to ensure accountability from landlords. This may lead to increased legal protection for tenants against unlawful rent practices and failures to address maintenance issues.

Summary

SF1565 is a legislative bill aimed at clarifying and modifying landlord covenants and remedies related to residential leases in Minnesota. The core intent of the bill is to enhance the legal protections for tenants while ensuring that landlords are compliant with specific obligations and standards of maintenance within rental properties. Key modifications outlined in the bill require landlords to maintain rental properties in a condition suitable for occupancy, including timely repairs and compliance with health and safety laws. The bill emphasizes that these covenants cannot be waived or modified by agreement between the landlord and tenant.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding SF1565, primarily focusing on the balance of power between landlords and tenants. Some landlord advocacy groups have expressed concerns that the proposed changes might impose excessive burden and liability on property owners, potentially deterring investment in rental properties or leading to increased rents to cover enhanced compliance costs. Conversely, tenant advocacy groups argue that the current statutes inadequately protect renters and that the bill is a necessary step towards ensuring fair housing practices. This conflict highlights the ongoing debate over housing policies and the rights of vulnerable populations in the rental market.

Companion Bills

MN HF2261

Similar To Landlords and tenants; effective dates clarified, landlord covenants modified, additional remedies provided, and technical changes made.

Previously Filed As

MN SF3492

Residential housing tenant and landlord provisions modifications

MN SF821

Covenants implied in a residential lease modification; tenant remedies against landlords for repairs authorization; tenant requesting emergency repairs from the court authorization

MN HF3591

Residential housing lease provisions amended; landlord and tenant rights and obligations provided; tenant screening provided; tenant associations provided; discrimination based on housing assistance prohibited; and landlord and tenant clarifying, technical, and conforming changes made.

MN HF316

Covenants implied in residential lease amended, tenant remedies against landlords for repairs provided, and tenant allowed to request emergency repairs from court.

MN SF1298

Housing provisions modifications

MN SF3553

Landlord and tenant provision modifications and summons and complaint service modifications

MN HF1681

Procedural requirements for evictions and expungements expanded, rental lease covenants and obligations expanded, and rental discrimination based on tenant's receipt of public housing assistance prohibited.

MN HF2273

Termination of lease upon loss of tenant income authorized, landlord obligations and liabilities modified, covenants modified, and recovery of costs authorized.

MN SF4579

Single-metered utility service in residential buildings regulations and provisions modifications

MN HF917

Housing; discrimination based on participation in public assistance prohibited, pet declawing and devocalization prohibited, fees prohibited, inspections required, notice provided, penalties provided, right to counsel provided, lease covenants and repairs in residential tenancy provided, renewal and termination of lease provided, residential evictions provided, and expungements provided.

Similar Bills

MN SF3492

Residential housing tenant and landlord provisions modifications

MN HF3591

Residential housing lease provisions amended; landlord and tenant rights and obligations provided; tenant screening provided; tenant associations provided; discrimination based on housing assistance prohibited; and landlord and tenant clarifying, technical, and conforming changes made.

CA SB1026

Residential energy efficiency disclosure statement.

CA AB12

Tenancy: security deposits.

CA SB644

Tenancy: security deposit: service members.

MN SF4579

Single-metered utility service in residential buildings regulations and provisions modifications

MN HF4558

Residential buildings shared-metered utility service provided for and regulated.

MN SF5448

Shared-metered utility service in residential buildings regulations provisions