SF2691 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Standards for rent and utility payments, fees, and charges provision in manufactured home parks
Related bill: HF2381
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
This legislative bill is designed to enhance protections for residents in manufactured home parks in Minnesota. It focuses on fair rental practices, transparency in utility billing, safety inspections, tenant rights in the sale of parks, and the prevention of unreasonable rent increases.
Main Provisions
- Rent and Fees Regulation: The bill mandates that rent and fee charges must be uniform throughout the park, with specific exceptions for lot size and certain services. Late fees for rent are capped at 8%, and additional fees cannot be based on the number of residents or type of property within the home, except for a nominal pet fee.
- Utility Billing Transparency: Park owners must provide itemized bills for utilities and cannot pass along repair costs to residents. Additionally, utility providers must be given access to resolve issues.
Safety Inspections: The bill requires park owners to address hazardous trees within 14 days of notice and provides a process for tree removal evaluation.
Limitations on Rent Increases: Only one rent increase per year is allowed, capped at 3% unless justified as reasonable and necessary.
Online Payment Platforms: Residents must be offered non-digital payment options for rent and fees, and no additional fees may be charged for using digital payment methods. Park owners are required to maintain transparent communication about payments and cannot impose late fees or eviction for payment platform issues.
Park Sale Notice and Resident Purchase Opportunity: Park owners must notify residents and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency about potential park sales and consider offers from resident groups or nonprofits. Residents acting through representatives must be acknowledged in any sale negotiations.
Requirement of Affordable Housing Preservation: If residents purchase a park, they must preserve it as a manufactured home park for at least ten years.
Significant Changes
- The bill repeals a prior statute requiring park owners to inform residents only when a park is publicly listed for sale.
- Enhanced penalties for noncompliance with the proposed regulations, including damages, attorney fees, and potential injunctive relief.
- Introduces a requirement for proactive park maintenance focusing on safety hazards posed by trees.
Relevant Terms
manufactured home parks, rent regulation, utility billing, safety inspections, rent increase limitations, digital payment platforms, resident purchase opportunity, affordable housing preservation, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, tenant rights.
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 16, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| March 16, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Referred to | Housing and Homelessness Prevention |
| March 19, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Author added | |
| March 23, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to | Commerce and Consumer Protection |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill modifies the definition of 'representative acting on behalf of residents' under section 327C.015, subdivision 13.",
"modified": [
"Adjusted conditions under which a representative is authorized to represent residents in the purchase of property."
]
},
"citation": "327C.015",
"subdivision": "subdivision 13"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends the rent provisions under section 327C.03, subdivision 3.",
"modified": [
"Specifies the conditions in which rent can be uniformly applied throughout the park with certain exceptions."
]
},
"citation": "327C.03",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill modifies the billing permissions for utilities under section 327C.04, subdivision 1.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies that utility charges to residents must comply with the section."
]
},
"citation": "327C.04",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Requires park owners to provide itemized bills for utility services."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "A new subdivision was added to section 327C.04.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "327C.04",
"subdivision": "subdivision 7"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill modifies notification requirements for rent increases under section 327C.06, subdivision 1.",
"modified": [
"Requires that notices of rent increases include the reason for the increase."
]
},
"citation": "327C.06",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends the conditions for rent increases under section 327C.06, subdivision 3.",
"modified": [
"Limits the number of rent increases permissible per year and establishes a presumption of unreasonableness for certain increases."
]
},
"citation": "327C.06",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarified what transactions are exempt from certain sales notice requirements."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill modifies the notice requirements regarding unsolicited sales and opportunity to purchase under section 327C.097.",
"modified": [
"Redefined obligations and procedures for park owners considering unsolicited offers."
]
},
"citation": "327C.097",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Updates to enforcement and remedies under section 327C.15.",
"modified": [
"Enumerates the consequences and legal actions available for violations of specific sections."
]
},
"citation": "327C.15",
"subdivision": ""
}
]