MN SF157

Renewed or new commercial and residential leases cannot require rent exceeding the amount charged on or before March 1, 2020, for entities receiving state civil unrest funding or eligible for emergency assistance awards related to Executive Order 20-64.

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

Landlords may increase rent on April 1 of each year by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) during the preceding 12-month period, as determined and published by the Housing Finance Agency Commissioner by February 1 annually.

Residential tenants may sue landlords for violations under Minnesota Statutes section 504B.381 and courts must award equitable and monetary damages; prevailing tenants in enforcement actions receive reasonable attorney fees and costs.

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