HF2966 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Statewide landlord database created, civil penalty for failure to register with statewide landlord database created, civil remedies provided, and attorney general enforcement provided.
Related bill: SF3175
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of this bill is to create a statewide landlord database in Minnesota to ensure transparency and accountability among landlords. It seeks to provide tenants and prospective tenants with accessible information about landlords and rental properties, improving tenant rights and offering mechanisms for enforcement and compliance.
Main Provisions
Statewide Landlord Database: The bill mandates the establishment of a statewide database that will collect and maintain relevant information about landlords and their rental properties. This database must be freely accessible to the public and allow users to report landlords who do not appear in the database.
Information Submission: Landlords are required to provide specific information about themselves and their properties to the database before renting a property or within 60 days of renting. This includes the names of property owners, business addresses, contact information, rental prices, and details about rental licenses.
Annual Updates: Landlords must update their information annually by February 1st or within 60 days of a unit being occupied to ensure that the database remains accurate and up-to-date.
Tenant Remedies and Enforcement: Tenants or prospective tenants who cannot find a landlord in the database can notify the housing agency, which will inform the landlord to submit their data. They may also file a civil lawsuit for injunctive relief, costs, and attorney fees if landlords fail to comply, potentially resulting in penalties up to $5,000 for willful violations.
Attorney General Enforcement: The Minnesota Attorney General is empowered to enforce this law, and can also impose penalties of up to $5,000 for continued non-compliance by landlords.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 8.31, subdivision 1, to include enforcement of the requirements for the statewide landlord database.
- A new section, 462A.45, is introduced to establish this database and its operational criteria.
Relevant Terms
landlord database, tenant rights, rental property transparency, landlord compliance, civil penalties, attorney general enforcement, property management accountability, legal action, rental housing information.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Housing Finance and Policy |
| April 01, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Includes new responsibilities related to the enforcement of the statewide landlord database."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The attorney general's investigative powers are modified under section 8.31 subdivision 1 to include additional enforcement related to the proposed statewide landlord database.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "8.31",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Reference to the Nonprofit Corporation Act sections 317A.001 to 317A.909 for enforcement purposes.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "317A.001 to 317A.909",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Reference to the Act Against Unfair Discrimination and Competition sections 325D.01 to 325D.07 for enforcement purposes.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "325D.01 to 325D.07",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Reference to the Unlawful Trade Practices Act sections 325D.09 to 325D.16 for enforcement purposes.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "325D.09 to 325D.16",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Reference to the Antitrust Act sections 325D.49 to 325D.66 for enforcement purposes.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "325D.49 to 325D.66",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Reference to section 325F.67 regarding laws against false or fraudulent advertising.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "325F.67",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Reference to section 325E.39 regarding the regulation of telephone advertising services.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "325E.39",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Reference to the Prevention of Consumer Fraud Act sections 325F.68 to 325F.70 for enforcement purposes.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "325F.68 to 325F.70",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines 'Landlord' as used in the new statewide landlord database provisions",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "504B.001",
"subdivision": "subdivision 7"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines 'Residential building' as used in the new statewide landlord database provisions",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "504B.001",
"subdivision": "subdivision 11"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines 'Tenant' as residential tenant as used in the new statewide landlord database provisions",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "504B.001",
"subdivision": "subdivision 12"
}
]