SF4145

Purpose

This bill adds a prohibition to Minnesota law to protect minor children from being named in housing documents or eviction lawsuits. It aims to prevent landlords from listing a minor child of a tenant as a tenant on a lease or as a defendant in an eviction action, with specific carve-outs and penalties for violations.

Main Provisions

• Prohibition on listing minors in leases

  • A residential lease cannot list a minor child of a residential tenant as a tenant.
  • If the minor is the only person renting the unit, the lease may list the minor as a tenant.

• Prohibition on listing minors in eviction actions

  • A residential landlord cannot list a minor child of a residential tenant as a defendant in an eviction action.
  • If the minor is the only person renting the unit, the landlord may list the minor as a defendant in an eviction action against the minor.

• No waivers or modifications

  • The requirements of this section cannot be waived or modified by any lease provision or other agreement. Waiving these protections is void and contrary to public policy.

• Remedies for violations

  • Tenants may recover treble actual damages plus any consequential damages or $1,000 (whichever is greater), along with reasonable attorney fees, for violations of this section.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds explicit protections for minors in residential leasing and eviction contexts under Minnesota Statutes (section 504B.2136).
• Establishes a clear prohibition on listing minors as tenants or defendants in eviction cases, with narrow exceptions when the minor is the sole renter.
• Introduces a strong anti-waiver rule, making any attempt to waive these protections unenforceable.
• Provides a defined damages remedy (treble actual and consequential damages or $1,000, whichever is greater) plus attorney fees for violations.

Relevant terms and concepts are embedded in the provisions below.

Relevant Terms - minor child - tenant - residential lease - landlord - eviction action - defendant - waiver - public policy - treble damages - actual damages - consequential damages - attorney fees - Minnesota Statutes - 504B.2136