HF 1648

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/03/2025 06:14 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to landlord and tenant; modifying requirements for a written lease; requiring
disclosure of additional landlord contact information; prohibiting landlords from
listing the name of a minor child of a tenant in a lease or eviction complaint;
establishing a right of a prospective tenant to view the rental unit; establishing
additional tenant remedies and penalties against landlords; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2024, sections 504B.111; 504B.181, subdivision 1; proposing coding for
new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 504B.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 504B.111, is amended to read:

504B.111 WRITTEN LEASE deleted text begin REQUIRED; PENALTY deleted text end .

new text begin (a) A landlord must include in any written lease all the terms of the tenancy. A landlord
may not unilaterally amend or change a written lease. The written lease must identify the
specific unit the residential tenant will occupy before the residential tenant signs the lease.
Notwithstanding any other state law or city ordinance to the contrary, a landlord may ask
for the tenant's full name and date of birth on the lease and application. A landlord and
tenant may agree to amend a lease only if the amendment is supported by adequate
consideration and the consideration is specifically set forth in a conspicuous writing. A
landlord may offer a new lease to be effective after expiration of the current lease with terms
different from the current lease.
new text end

new text begin (b) new text end A landlord of a residential building with 12 or more residential units must have a
written lease for each unit rented to a residential tenant. deleted text begin The written lease must identify the
specific unit the residential tenant will occupy before the residential tenant signs the lease.
Notwithstanding any other state law or city ordinance to the contrary, a landlord may ask
for the tenant's full name and date of birth on the lease and application. deleted text end A landlord who fails
to provide a lease, as required under this section, is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.

new text begin (c) The tenant shall recover from the landlord treble actual and consequential damages
or $500, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney fees, for a violation of this section.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to leases
entered into, renewed, or extended on or after that date. For the purposes of this section,
estates at will shall be deemed to be renewed or extended at the commencement of each
rental period.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 504B.181, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Disclosure to tenant.

new text begin (a) new text end There shall be disclosed to the residential tenant
either in the rental agreement or otherwise in writing prior to commencement of the tenancy
the name deleted text begin and deleted text end new text begin , occupied street address within 50 miles of the dwelling, phone number, and
email new text end address of:

new text begin (1) the owner of the premises;
new text end

deleted text begin (1) deleted text end new text begin (2) new text end the person authorized to manage the premises; and

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end the landlord of the premises deleted text begin or deleted text end new text begin and new text end an agent authorized by the landlord to accept
service of process and receive and give receipt for notices and demands.

new text begin (b) An occupied street address does not include post office boxes and commercial mail
boxes. The phone number and email address shall be normally answerable 24 hours a day,
seven days a week, not subject to normal business hours. The persons designated shall
respond to inquiries from tenants within a reasonable period of time.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to leases
entered into, renewed, or extended on or after that date. For the purposes of this section,
estates at will shall be deemed to be renewed or extended at the commencement of each
rental period.
new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [504B.2136] LISTING OF MINORS AS LEASE PARTIES OR DEFENDANTS
PROHIBITED.
new text end

new text begin (a) A residential lease shall not list a minor child of a residential tenant as a tenant. If a
minor is the only person renting the unit from the landlord, the lease may list the minor as
a tenant.
new text end

new text begin (b) A residential landlord shall not list a minor child of a residential tenant as a defendant
in an eviction action complaint against the residential tenant. If a minor is the only person
renting the unit from the landlord, the landlord may list the minor as a defendant in an
eviction action complaint against the minor.
new text end

new text begin (c) The requirements of this section may not be waived or modified by the parties to a
residential lease. Any provision, whether oral or written, of a lease or other agreement by
which any provision of this section is waived by a tenant is contrary to public policy and
void. The tenant shall recover from the landlord treble actual and consequential damages
or $1,000, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney fees, for a violation of this section.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to leases
entered into, renewed, or extended on or after that date. For the purposes of this section,
estates at will shall be deemed to be renewed or extended at the commencement of each
rental period.
new text end

Sec. 4.

new text begin [504B.2143] PROSPECTIVE TENANT RIGHT TO VIEW DWELLING.
new text end

new text begin The landlord must notify a prospective tenant of their option to view the dwelling that
the landlord intends to rent to the tenant. At the request of the prospective tenant, the landlord
shall allow the prospective tenant to visit the dwelling before leasing the dwelling to the
prospective tenant. If the prospective tenant cannot visit the dwelling in person, at the request
of the prospective tenant, the landlord shall allow the prospective tenant to remotely and
electronically view the dwelling before leasing the dwelling to the prospective tenant. Any
agreement by which any provision of this section is waived by a tenant is contrary to public
policy and void. The tenant shall recover from the landlord treble actual and consequential
damages or $1,000, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney fees, for a violation of
this section.
new text end