HF2381 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Standards for rent and utility payments, fees, and charges in manufactured home park provided; safety inspections required; sale of manufactured home parks provisions modified; and penalties modified.
Related bill: SF2691
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
The bill aims to improve tenant protections and standards of living for residents in manufactured home parks in Minnesota. It establishes rules for rent and utility payments, mandates safety inspections, modifies the sale process of these parks, and adjusts penalties for violations.
Main Provisions
Uniform Rent Payments: Rent must be consistent for all homes, with exceptions for larger lots or special services. Extra fees for pets are capped, and certain discriminatory fees are prohibited.
Utility Charges: Park owners can charge for utilities only under specific conditions and must provide itemized bills. They cannot bill for repairs made by utility providers or for outage reports.
Safety Inspections: The park owner is responsible for handling hazardous trees within a specific timeframe upon receiving a resident's notice.
Rent Increases: Rent hikes require a 60-day notice and are limited to once per year with a maximum increase of 3%, unless justified by safety expenses. Rent increases approved by cooperatives are considered reasonable.
Digital Payment Options: Park owners must offer alternatives to digital payments and cannot charge extra fees for any payment methods. Owners are prohibited from penalizing tenants when payment systems fail.
Sale and Purchase of Parks: When park owners receive an unsolicited offer to sell, they must notify residents and a state agency, allowing residents or nonprofits an opportunity to purchase the park. There's a provision ensuring the park remains a housing community for at least ten years if sold.
Good Faith in Transactions: All related transactions must be conducted in good faith, especially concerning the sale to resident representatives.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill repeals the existing statute requiring park owners to notify residents when the park is listed for sale through a broker or advertised publicly.
- It imposes stricter guidelines on how park owners can manage rent increases, utility billing, and the sale process to safeguard residents’ interests.
Relevant Terms
- Manufactured home park, rent increase, utility billing, digital payment platform, safety inspection, resident representative, sale notice, tenant protections, affordable housing preservation.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 16, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Housing Finance and Policy |
| March 19, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarifies the required percentage of resident signatures for representation."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends section 327C.015 subdivision 13 to refine definitions related to representatives acting on behalf of residents in manufactured home parks.",
"modified": [
"Adjusts the criteria for presumption of representative authorization."
]
},
"citation": "327C.015"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Prohibits fee charges based on guest numbers, age of children, or home characteristics."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amendment of section 327C.03 subdivision 3 regarding uniformity and limitations of rental payments in manufactured home parks.",
"modified": [
"Fee for delinquent rent capped at eight percent."
]
},
"citation": "327C.03"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Itemized billing requirement for utility charges."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Addition of itemized billing requirements for utility charges to residents in section 327C.04.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "327C.04"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Requirement for park owners to provide reasons for rent increases."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Modification of rent increase notice and limitation requirements in section 327C.06.",
"modified": [
"Rent increases limited to one per year with a cap on percentage increase."
]
},
"citation": "327C.06"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarifies procedures and obligations for park owners on receiving offers to purchase."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amendments to section 327C.097 regarding notice and processes for unsolicited sales.",
"modified": [
"Terminology and definitions refined for 'nonprofit.'"
]
},
"citation": "327C.097"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amendments in section 327C.15 relating to the enforcement of penalties and remedies for violation of park laws.",
"modified": [
"Describes liability and relief available for violations of sections 327C.015 to 327C.14."
]
},
"citation": "327C.15"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References in section 327C.15 indicating violations are subject to enforcement under section 8.31.",
"modified": [
"Ensures violations of these statutes align with enforcement protocols under section 8.31 subdivision 1."
]
},
"citation": "8.31"
}
]