MN HF83

Renewed or new commercial and residential leases cannot require rent amounts exceeding the March 1, 2020 rental rate for entities receiving state funding related to civil unrest or eligible for emergency assistance under Executive Order 20-64.

Landlords may calculate the baseline rent using either the average of monthly rent charged for January, February, and March 2020, or the last annual rent paid prior to March 1, 2020.

Landlords may increase rent on April 1 of each year by a percentage equal to the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) change, determined annually by the Housing Finance Agency commissioner by February 1.

Residential tenants may file actions against landlords for violations and receive equitable and monetary damages, with courts awarding reasonable attorney fees and costs to prevailing tenants.

The section is effective July 1, 2020, applies to leases signed or renewed on or after that date, and expires April 1, 2024.