Feb- April - found out we had multi bug infestation. Bed bugs, roaches
April- may - tried to end lease threatened to take to court if asked to give 60 day notice. Leasing manager crossed off 60 gave me 30 to vacate. Upon applying for new place. Bad referral given saying not enough notice given.
May- August-- requesting sprays. Pest came out multiple times for both bed bugs and roaches
Aug- Company under new management
Oct- New pest control comes Already aware of bed bugs and roaches and sprays on 2 different occasions.
Nov- Dec- Still not having used the bedroom since April, Tried to settle for months April-Oct of us not having use of bedroom all while spraying . Never rid of bugs. Landlord is unwilling to settle
Feb-15th End of lease
See the Minnesota Attorney General Landlord/Tenant Handbook:
[full text at: http://www.ag.state.mn.us/Consumer/Handbooks/LT/LT2.asp]
Repair Problems
Minnesota law requires landlords to keep units in reasonable repair. This requirement cannot be waived.(83) However, the landlord and the tenant can agree the tenant will do certain specific repairs or maintenance if:
This agreement is in writing and conspicuous (easy to notice) and
The tenant receives something adequate in return (for example, a rent reduction or payment from the landlord for the work).(84)
If the tenant has trouble getting the landlord to make necessary repairs in the unit, the tenant may use one or more of the following remedies:
File a complaint with the local housing, health, energy or fire inspector —if there is one—and ask that the unit be inspected. If there is no city inspector for the community, write the landlord and request repairs within 14 days. If management fails to make such repairs, the tenant may file a rent escrow action.
Place the full rent in escrow with the court, and ask the court to order the landlord to make repairs.
Sue the landlord in district court under the Tenant’s Remedies Act.
Sue in conciliation court or district court for rent abatement (this is the return of part of the rent, or, in extreme cases, all of the rent).
Use the landlord’s failure to make necessary repairs as a defense to either the landlord’s Eviction Action based on nonpayment of rent or the landlord’s lawsuit for unpaid rent.
Let’s examine these one at a time.
Calling in an Inspector
If a landlord will not correct a repair problem, a state, county, or local department or authority can be called by the tenant. If the inspector finds code violations in the unit, the inspector will give the landlord a certain amount of time to correct them. If the landlord does not make the corrections, the state, county, or local department or authority has the authority to serve a summons on the landlord to appear in court.(85)
A landlord may not retaliate (strike back) by filing an eviction notice, increasing rent, or decreasing services because a tenant contacts an inspector. (Click here for more information about retaliation.)
