Certain landlord requirements clarification provisions

A bill for an act

relating to real property; landlord and tenant; clarifying certain landlord

requirement; amending Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 504B.161,

subdivision 1.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 504B.161, subdivision 1, is

amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Requirements.

(a) In every lease or license of residential premises, the

landlord or licensor covenants:

(1) that the premises and all common areas are fit for the use intended by the parties;

(2) to keep the premises and all common areas in reasonable repair during the term of

the lease or license, including services and conditions listed in section
504B.381, subdivision

1
, and extermination of insects, rodents, vermin, or other pests on the premises, except when

the disrepair has been caused by the willful, malicious, or irresponsible conduct of the tenant

or licensee or a person under the direction or control of the tenant or licensee;

(3) to make the premises and all common areas reasonably energy efficient by installing

weatherstripping, caulking, storm windows, and storm doors when any such measure will

result in energy procurement cost savings, based on current and projected average residential

energy costs in Minnesota, that will exceed the cost of implementing that measure, including

interest, amortized over the ten-year period following the incurring of the cost;

(4) to maintain the premises and all common areas in compliance with the applicable

health and safety laws of the United States, of the state, and of the local units of government,

including ordinances regulating rental licensing, where the premises are located during the

term of the lease or license, except when violation of the health and safety laws has been

caused by the willful, malicious, or irresponsible conduct of the tenant or licensee or a

person under the direction or control of the tenant or licensee; and

(5) to equip or furnish heat at a minimum temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit in all

places intended for habitation including kitchens and bathrooms from October 1 through

April 30, unless a utility company requires and instructs the heat to be reduced.
new text begin
This clause

does not apply to garages, crawl spaces, porches, or other areas of a residential unit that are

not designed for continuous human habitation.
new text end

(b) The parties to a lease or license of residential premises may not waive or modify the

covenants imposed by this section.