St. Paul – On Monday, the Minnesota Senate passed Senate File 1470, sponsored by Senator Rich Draheim (R-Madison Lake), Chair of the Senate Housing Committee. This legislation would create an orderly process for housing providers to handle residents who are deficient in their rent and restores basic property rights to housing providers whose renters meet minimum income thresholds.

“The executive order doesn’t give housing providers the freedom to get rid of the bad apples under the current circumstances,” Draheim said. “Right now, housing providers can’t do anything about the renters who are damaging property and disrupting other residents. We’ve worked with our bipartisan working group all session and believe this is the best solution to help housing providers, while still protecting those who still need assistance due to hardships from COVID-19.”

This legislation states that 30 days after the date of enactment, non-renewal of leases is permitted for those with outstanding rent, but who are ineligible for rental assistance through the COVID-19 emergency rental assistance program. Nearly $400 million is available in statewide rental assistance from the federal government and is designated to help with rent payments and utilities for renter households that have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 and can demonstrate a risk of experiencing housing instability. Eligible renters can receive help with rent and utility bills dated on or after March 13, 2020 (April 1 rent) and receive up to 15 months of assistance.

The bill addresses that the “off-ramp” will occur in a 30, 60, and 90 day step down:

• 30 days after the date of enactment, evictions are permitted for material violations of the lease other than non-payment of rent. 
• 60 days after the date of enactment, evictions are permitted for those with outstanding rent, but who are ineligible for rental assistance through the COVID-19 emergency rental assistance program. 
• 90 days after enactment of the bill, this step-down expires, with the exception of actions based on non-payment of rent against a tenant with a pending application for assistance through the COVID-19 emergency rental assistance program, which are prohibited until June 1, 2022. This allows renters who are enrolled in a relief program more time to get caught up with their rent.

This bill would also prevent the governor from issuing any order that prohibits or delays evictions for more than 30 days unless an extension to the order is approved by both parts of the legislature. If the legislature does not agree to an extension, the governor is prohibited from issuing a new order delaying or prohibiting evictions.

For more information about rental assistance please follow the link below:

https://www.mnhousing.gov/sites/np/covid19emergencyrentalassistance