1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to landlords and tenants; creating a duty for 
  1.3             landlords to ensure reasonably safe conditions for 
  1.4             tenants; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 
  1.5             504.18, subdivision 1. 
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 504.18, 
  1.8   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  1.9      Subdivision 1.  In every lease or license of residential 
  1.10  premises, whether in writing or parol, the lessor or licensor 
  1.11  covenants: 
  1.12     (a) That the premises and all common areas are fit for the 
  1.13  use intended by the parties.  
  1.14     (b) To keep the premises in reasonable repair during the 
  1.15  term of the lease or license, except when the disrepair has been 
  1.16  caused by the willful, malicious, or irresponsible conduct of 
  1.17  the lessee or licensee or a person under the direction or 
  1.18  control of the lessee or licensee.  
  1.19     (c) To maintain the premises in compliance with the 
  1.20  applicable health and safety laws of the state, including the 
  1.21  weatherstripping, caulking, storm window, and storm door energy 
  1.22  efficiency standards for renter-occupied residences prescribed 
  1.23  by section 216C.27, subdivisions 1 and 3, and of the local units 
  1.24  of government where the premises are located during the term of 
  1.25  the lease or license, except when violation of the health and 
  2.1   safety laws has been caused by the willful, malicious, or 
  2.2   irresponsible conduct of the lessee or licensee or a person 
  2.3   under the direction or control of the lessee or licensee.  
  2.4      (d) To take reasonable care, using the standard of a 
  2.5   reasonably prudent lessor or licensor, to protect its lessees, 
  2.6   licensees, and other lawful entrants onto the premises from the 
  2.7   reasonably foreseeable criminal acts of others. 
  2.8      The parties to a lease or license of residential premises 
  2.9   may not waive or modify the covenants imposed by this section.