SF1208

Senate File No. 1208 is a bill proposed in Minnesota that aims to regulate how rent is paid in manufactured housing parks. It specifically requires that if park owners offer a digital payment platform for residents to pay rent, fees, and other charges, they must also provide an alternative method of payment. This alternative could be a non-digital option such as paying by cash or check.

Key provisions of the bill include: 1. Definitions for terms like digital payment platforms, alternative means of payment, and electronic funds transfers. 2. A requirement for park owners to offer an alternative payment method without charging any fees for using either digital or alternative payment methods. 3. A mandate for park owners to make detailed rent and charge information accessible and to provide a contact number for issues with payment systems. 4. Provisions to protect residents from adverse actions like eviction or late fees if their non-payment issues arise due to failures of the digital payment system.

The bill also outlines legal defenses for residents against eviction if their landlord violates these new regulations and includes measures for court consequences like dismissal of the eviction case and reasonable attorney fees awarded to the impacted resident.