Eviction Moratorium Off-Ramp Legislation Passes Minnesota House

(KNSI) – The eviction moratorium off-ramp, which Republicans had been asking for, passed the Democrat-led Minnesota House late Thursday night.

A statement from the Minnesota DFL caucus says the bill provides a roadmap to transition off the current residential eviction moratorium by ensuring renters have enough time to access federal funding for rental assistance when the COVID-19 related peacetime emergency ends and provides clarity to the process.

Representative Alice Hausman, chairs the Housing Finance and Policy Committee, says the bill “provides a realistic timeline for both landlords and tenants to access the rental assistance that will keep people in their homes.”

The legislation creates a 12-month timeline immediately following the end of the current peacetime emergency requiring landlords who intend to file an eviction for non-payment of rent to provide written notice along with information about rental assistance available to the tenant at least 60 days before filing an eviction. Renters then have time to access available assistance or plan for an orderly transition to a new home.

During the current peacetime emergency and for 60 days immediately following its conclusion, there would be a prohibition on foreclosures, and no vendor may terminate a contract for deed. This prohibition would not alter payments owed under the mortgage, community interest by-laws, contract for deed, or the pledge made by the state to holders of bonds issued by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.

Nothing in the bill makes permanent changes to state statute, reduces the amount of rent owed, or prevents landlords from collecting rent owed.

St. Cloud Representative Tama Theis authored the bi-partisan eviction off-ramp legislation.

If you’ve fallen behind in your rent, RentHelpMN has created COVID-19 emergency rental assistance. Learn more by clicking here.

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