SF 4947
Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)
Posted on 03/26/2026 03:19 p.m.
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A bill for an act
relating to landlord and tenant; permitting termination of lease upon loss of income
of tenant; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 504B.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
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[504B.213] RIGHT TO TERMINATE LEASE UPON LOSS OF INCOME.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end
new text begin Definitions. new text end
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(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
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(b) "Income" means salary, wages, tips, commissions, and professional fees.
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(c) "Qualifying document" means:
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(1) documentation by the tenant's employer of termination of the tenant's employment
or reduction in income;
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(2) documentation of the tenant's loss or reduction of income from a source of the income,
other than an employer; or
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(3) if documentation under clause (1) or (2) is unavailable, a statement by the tenant or
the authorized representative of the tenant that includes the following:
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(i) a description of the tenant's loss or reduction of income and inability to pay the rent
based on the loss or reduction of income;
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(ii) the reason the documentation under clause (1) or (2) is unavailable; and
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(iii) an attestation that the statement is true and correct.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end
new text begin Termination of lease upon loss of income; notice. new text end
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(a) A residential tenant or
the authorized representative of the tenant may terminate a lease prior to the expiration of
the lease if:
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(1) the tenant lost income or their income was reduced and the tenant is unable to pay
rent because of the loss or reduction of income;
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(2) the tenant or the tenant's authorized representative provides written notice to the
landlord at least 14 days prior to the proposed date of termination of the lease; and
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(3) a qualifying document is delivered with the written notice.
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(b) The tenant or the tenant's authorized representative must deliver the written notice
and qualifying document to the landlord by mail, in person, or by a form of written
communication the tenant regularly uses to communicate with the landlord.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end
new text begin Date of termination; liability for rent. new text end
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If the tenant complies with the
requirements under subdivision 2, the lease is terminated on the proposed date of termination
provided in the written notice. The termination of a lease under this section shall not relieve
the tenant from liability for the payment of rent or other sums owed prior to the date of
termination of the lease, including during the notice period.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end
new text begin Waiver prohibited. new text end
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A waiver of the rights provided under this section, including
a provision that requires a longer notice period than that provided in this section, is contrary
to public policy and is void and unenforceable.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
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This section is effective the day following final enactment 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.
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