Know Your Rights: Housing & COVID-19
In February 2021 the SSCO Neighborhood Development Committee hosted Mike Vraa from HOME Line to give a Renter’s Rights Training. HOME Line provides free services to tenants throughout Minnesota so they can solve their own rental housing issues. The services HOME Line provides include legal help, organizing, education, and advocacy.
Mike joined us for a full hour where he explained a bit about how rules around the COVID-19 pandemic relate to renter’s rights, common renter questions, and took questions from attendees. You can watch the full meeting recording below.
We also rounded up a few frequently asked questions and tips from Mike below, along with where you can go to find more help.
How does the pandemic impact renter’s rights?
While there is an eviction moratorium, that doesn’t mean rent is reduced or waived during this time. Rent is still due. If you cannot pay your rent, support may be available. Check out this housing support page from the State of Minnesota for more resources.
Another way the pandemic is impacting renters is through mask requirements. Masks are required in public places, including in common areas in apartment buildings. Landlords and employees are also required to wear a mask when entering a tenant’s unit.
What are the reasons a landlord can evict someone?
Landlords can evict tenants for not paying rent, staying in their unit beyond the time indicated in their lease, possessing illegal drugs, guns, or contraband, prostitution, or an explicit violation of their lease.
When can a landlord keep part of my security deposit?
Landlords can deduct costs from your security deposit for physical damages to your unit that are beyond “ordinary wear and tear.” Landlords can also withhold the security deposit if the tenant still owes debt to the landlord.
Mike offered a few tips for keeping your security deposit. First, he said that the first thing tenants should do when they move into a new unit is take photos of the unit, especially anything that is worn or broken. This makes it easier to prove to your landlord that you did not create these damages.
Mike also mentioned that some home elements have a stated wear duration. This can be used to show that the wear to your unit is typical wear and tear. For example, carpets have a manufacturer lifespan.
What should I do if I still have questions or need support?
HOME Line provides a free tenant hotline where Minnesota renters can get legal information and support.
Tenants can access the hotline at (612) 728-5767 or toll-free in greater Minnesota at (866) 866-3546. Spanish, Somali, and Hmong speakers can access services by calling direct lines specifically for folks who speak those languages.
If you’d prefer to email an attorney with your question rather than calling on the phone, you can do that here.
