Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to address and enhance tenant rights in the context of rent payments and utility billing. It focuses on ensuring fair treatment and transparency between landlords and tenants in Minnesota.

Main Provisions

• Alternative Payment Methods: Landlords are required to provide tenants with an alternative payment method if rent payments are made through digital platforms. This ensures tenants without digital access or with specific barriers can still pay their rent promptly.

• Receipt Requirement: Landlords must provide a written receipt for any rent paid in cash or money order. This must be done immediately when the payment is made in person or within three business days if not.

• No Fees for Digital Platforms: Landlords cannot charge any extra fee for tenants to use digital payment platforms or any alternative methods.

• Tenant Protections: If a digital payment platform is unavailable, tenants cannot face any adverse actions such as eviction or late fees. Tenants have a defense in eviction proceedings if the landlord does not adhere to these requirements.

• Restoration of Digital Services: Landlords must restore access to digital platforms or provide an alternative payment solution as soon as possible if there is an issue.

• Protecting Victim Information: Though not detailed in the provided text, the bill mentions prohibiting the disclosure of information regarding victims, likely to protect tenants' privacy and safety, especially victims of violence or similar circumstances.

• Utility Billing Caps: It outlines limits on how landlords can bill tenants for utility services, ensuring that costs are apportioned fairly and transparently.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill amends current Minnesota statutes by explicitly requiring written receipts for certain payments, adding provisions for alternative payment methods, and introducing protections against victim information disclosure and unfair utility billing practices.

Relevant Terms

digital payment platform, rent receipt, alternative payment method, eviction, tenant rights, utility billing limits, victim information protection.