1998 Minnesota Statutes

     504A.535 Judgment. 

    (a) If the court finds that the complaint in section 
 504A.505 has been proved, it may, in its discretion, take any of 
 the actions described in paragraphs (b) to (g), either alone or 
 in combination. 

    (b) It may order the landlord to remedy the violation or 
 violations found by the court to exist if the court is satisfied 
 that corrective action will be undertaken promptly.  

    (c) It may order the residential tenant to remedy the 
 violation or violations found by the court to exist and deduct 
 the cost from the rent subject to the terms as the court 
 determines to be just. 

    (d) It may appoint an administrator with powers described 
 in section 504A.555, and direct that: 

    (1) the following rents due shall be deposited with the 
 administrator appointed by the court: 

    (i) rents on and from the day of entry of judgment, in the 
 case of petitioning residential tenants or neighborhood 
 organizations; and 

    (ii) rents on and from the day of service of the judgment 
 on all other residential and commercial tenants of the 
 residential building, if any; and 

    (2) the administrator use the rents collected to remedy the 
 violations found to exist by the court by paying the debt 
 service, taxes, and insurance, and providing the services 
 necessary to the ordinary operation and maintenance of the 
 residential building which the landlord is obligated to provide 
 but fails or refuses to provide.  

    (e) It may find the extent to which any uncorrected 
 violations impair the residential tenants' use and enjoyment of 
 the property contracted for and order the rent abated 
 accordingly.  If the court enters judgment under this paragraph, 
 the parties shall be informed and the court shall determine the 
 amount by which the rent is to be abated.  

    (f) It may, after termination of administration, continue 
 the jurisdiction of the court over the residential building for 
 a period of one year and order the landlord to maintain the 
 residential building in compliance with all applicable state, 
 county, and city health, safety, housing, building, fire 
 prevention, and housing maintenance codes.  

    (g) It may grant any other relief it finds just and proper, 
 including a judgment against the landlord for reasonable 
 attorney fees, not to exceed $500, in the case of a prevailing 
 residential tenant or neighborhood organization.  The $500 
 limitation does not apply to awards made under section 549.211 
 or other specific statutory authority.  

    HIST: 1998 c 253 s 60