MN SF2520

Landlord of single-metered residential buildings must be the bill payer and customer of record with utility provider; if billing tenants separately, landlord must install submeters meeting industry standards or establish an equitable apportionment method in writing for all leases.

Landlord billing tenants separately for utilities may not impose billing fees, must provide prospective tenants with 12 months of prior utility costs, must offer annualized budget payment plans, and must inform tenants annually of low-income energy assistance program availability.

Tenants may terminate leases prior to expiration if certified by physician as unable to live without assistance with daily living activities and needing to move to a nursing home, hospice, boarding care, assisted living, accessible unit, or other licensed/certified residential care facility, by providing two months' notice and one month's rent.

Landlord must provide tenant with seven-day notice and opportunity to cure or vacate before initiating eviction action; tenant may cure nonpayment twice per 12-month period, or more times by paying landlord's actual reasonable attorney fees.

Utilities company must post notice of impending disconnection in building stating disconnection date, utility telephone number, tenant rights, and advice to seek legal assistance; tenant or group of tenants may pay current charges to continue service or become bill payer for natural gas and electricity.