Minnesota Landlord Responsibilities for Habitability

Minnesota Landlord Responsibilities for Habitability

Last Updated: June 6, 2024 by Roberto Valenzuela

Minnesota legally requires landlords to meet certain “habitability” requirements for all rental properties. This means that they’re responsible for providing a property that meets specific health and safety standards and for fixing issues that violate them.

Minnesota Implied Warranty of Habitability

In Minnesota, the implied warranty of habitability means that a landlord must provide and maintain a safe and habitable rental property. “Implied” means the requirement applies whether or not the lease agreement specifically says so and even if the lease tries to waive the obligation.

Examples of clear habitability violations include:

  • Exposed electrical wiring
  • A pipe leaking human waste
  • A broken front doorknob that won’t lock

However, the implied warranty of habitability does not guarantee that anything at the property will be pretty, clean, new or issue-free, so it doesn’t cover things like stained carpet or dents in a wall. It only guarantees basic health and safety.

Landlord Responsibilities in Minnesota

Note: Check local city/county laws and ordinances for additional requirements.

Item Has To Provide? Has To Fix / Replace?
Air Conditioning / Heating Only Heating Only Heating
Hot Water Yes Yes
Kitchen Appliances No No
Washer and Dryer No No
Smoke/CO Detectors Yes Yes
Window Coverings No No
Light Fixtures No No
Landscaping No No
Garbage Removal No No
Garbage Pickup Yes Yes
Mold N/A Yes
Pest Control No N/A
Pest Infestations N/A Yes
Water Leaks N/A Not Usually
Clogs N/A Not Usually

Landlord Responsibilities for Heating and Air Conditioning in Minnesota

Minnesota landlords must provide heating during winter for rental properties. The property must be able to be heated to at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit, between October 1 and April 30 of each year. There’s no obligation in Minnesota for a landlord to provide air conditioning.

note

Although the landlord isn’t required to provide air conditioning, a landlord must keep any provided air conditioning in good working order. A tenant can file an Emergency Tenant Remedies case in court if the landlord doesn’t fix issues with provided air conditioning.

Are Landlords Required to Provide Air Filter Replacements in Minnesota?

Minnesota landlords don’t have to replace things like air filters, unless required heating equipment won’t work otherwise.

Landlord Responsibilities for Plumbing in Minnesota

Minnesota landlords must keep plumbing in reasonable working condition that doesn’t damage the property.

Are Landlords Required To Provide Hot Water in Minnesota?

Minnesota landlords must provide and maintain running heated water for rental properties.

Are Landlords Responsible for Fixing Clogged Drains and Toilets in Minnesota?

Minnesota landlords must fix clogs the renter didn’t cause and which keep the plumbing from supplying necessary functions on the property.

Are Landlords in Minnesota Responsible for Fixing Leaks?

Minnesota must fix leaks that could damage the property, or which keep the plumbing from supplying necessary functions on the property.

Landlord Responsibilities for Kitchen Appliances in Minnesota

Minnesota landlords don’t have to provide or maintain kitchen appliances such as a dishwasher, stove, oven, microwave, or refrigerator.

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Although the landlord isn’t required to provide kitchen appliances, if provided, a landlord must maintain them in good working order. In particular, a tenant can file an Emergency Tenant Remedies case in court if the landlord doesn’t fix issues with a stove or refrigerator.

Landlord Responsibilities for Electrical Issues in Minnesota

Minnesota landlords don’t have responsibilities for electrical issues that apply statewide. Most local jurisdictions in Minnesota have detailed electrical codes, instead.

Are Landlords Responsible for Replacing Light Bulbs in Minnesota?

Minnesota landlords are not responsible for replacing light bulbs or particular light fixtures.

Landlord Responsibilities for Garbage Removal in Minnesota

Minnesota landlords have unclear responsibilities relating to garbage removal. The landlord must maintain common areas, and can’t let garbage pile up, so where the lease doesn’t say otherwise, the tenant should remove and store garbage and the landlord should ensure service is available to remove it.

Landlord Responsibilities for Landscaping in Minnesota

Minnesota landlords don’t have any specific obligation to provide landscaping or maintain it with actions like cutting grass. They only have to deal with issues like fallen trees if they interfere with the upkeep of common areas, violate local codes, or create a hazard to health and safety.

Landlord Responsibilities Regarding Mold in Minnesota

Minnesota landlords are responsible for most mold issues. While there’s no state requirement for testing, landlords must investigate and fix mold problems since they threaten health and safety.

Landlord Responsibilities Regarding Pests in Minnesota

Minnesota landlords are responsible for fixing pest issues the renter didn’t cause, including rats, roaches, mice, bed bugs, and ants.

Landlord Responsibilities for Windows & Window Coverings in Minnesota

Minnesota landlords are responsible for providing well-functioning windows that are properly weatherproofed, including storm windows, caulking, and other similar energy-saving features as appropriate. The landlord has to repair broken windows the tenant didn’t cause, since this is a health and safety issue.

Landlord Responsibilities Regarding Safety Devices in Minnesota

Minnesota landlords are responsible for providing and maintaining smoke alarms, as well as providing carbon monoxide (CO) detection unless certified exempt. However, maintenance of CO detectors is the tenant’s responsibility, even though the landlord has to provide them.

Are Landlords Responsible for Replacing Batteries of Safety Devices in Minnesota?

Responsibilities are divided on this issue. Minnesota landlords are responsible for maintaining smoke alarms, which includes battery replacement. Tenants are responsible for maintaining carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, which includes battery replacement.

Landlord Responsibilities for Washers and Dryers in Minnesota

Minnesota landlords are not required to furnish their rental properties with a working washer and dryer.

Renter’s Rights for Repairs in Minnesota

Renters in Minnesota have the right to repairs for issues that affect health and safety, unless they caused the issue themselves. The renter must usually start by notifying the landlord of the issue in writing, although non-written notice is sometimes acceptable. Landlords usually get 14 days to fix issues.

If the issue isn’t fixed, the renter could get a court order for repairs, get a rent deduction or rent reduction, or (in extreme cases) claim constructive eviction and move out.

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