HF2381

HF2381 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Standards for rent and utility payments, fees, and charges in manufactured home park provided; safety inspections required; sale of manufactured home parks provisions modified; and penalties modified.

Related bill: SF2691

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to establish clear standards for rent and utilities, enforce safety inspections, modify current rules on selling manufactured home parks, and outline penalties for non-compliance in Minnesota's manufactured home parks. The bill is intended to increase transparency, fairness, and safety for residents living in these parks.

Main Provisions

Uniform Rent Charges: Rent must be consistent across the park unless differences are justified by lot size, location, or specific services. Delinquent rent fees are capped at 8%.
Utility Charges: Park owners can charge for utilities if conditions are met but cannot charge for repairs or service interruptions. Itemized billing for utilities is mandatory.
Safety of Trees: Park owners must handle unsafe tree conditions within specified timelines, relying on arborist inspections when necessary.
Rent Increase Regulations: Notice of rent increases must be given 60 days in advance, explaining the reason for the increase, which can only occur once annually and shouldn’t exceed a 3% increase unless justified.
Payment Options: Residents must have alternatives to digital payment methods without incurring extra fees. Owners cannot impose fees for using these alternative payment methods.
Sale of Parks: Introduces procedures for notifying residents and relevant parties when a park is being sold, including their right to make purchase offers.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Amendment of Existing Statutes: The bill revises several sections related to rent, utilities, and sales of manufactured home parks to improve resident protections.
Repeal of Previous Notice Requirements: Abolishes a statute requiring park owners to notify residents of a sale or enlistment in the public domain through advertising, making new provisions for notice of sale and other negotiations more comprehensive.
Enhanced Resident Rights: The bill bolsters residents' ability to form representative agreements to act on their behalf during park sales and increases transparency in transactions.

Relevant Terms

Manufactured Home Park
Rent Charges
Utility Fees
Safety Inspections
Itemized Billing
Rent Increase
Digital Payment Platforms
Tree Safety
Tenant Rights
Park Sale Notifications
Nonprofit Organizations

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 16, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Housing Finance and Policy
March 19, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
April 06, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
April 29, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Authors added
April 29, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Authors added
April 30, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
April 30, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarification that park owner covenants include tree maintenance to prevent safety hazards."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill specifies park owners' responsibilities under the related habitability covenants concerning safety from trees under section 504B.161.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "504B.161",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Mentioned as a comparison to demonstrate entities that can form cooperatives and influence rent increase perceptions.",
      "modified": [
        "Explains how rent increases governed by cooperatives under chapter 308A are seen as reasonable."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "308A",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Mentioned as a comparison to demonstrate entities that can form cooperatives and influence rent increase perceptions.",
      "modified": [
        "Explains how rent increases governed by cooperatives under chapter 308B are seen as reasonable."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "308B",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Liabilities include actual damages, injunctive relief, and attorneys' fees."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Establishes liability under section 8.31 for violations of other sections related to manufactured home parks.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "8.31",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  }
]