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Minnesota landlords required to disclose hidden fees upfront
Minnesota lawmakers passed the largest housing bill in the state’s history. One section requires landlords to disclose all nonoptional fees in all online ads.
MINNEAPOLIS — If you’ve ever rented, you may have encountered unanticipated fees deep within your lease agreement – costs that weren’t advertised upfront.
“We’ve seen more, what I would call abusive or predatory practices, in I’d say the last 10 years as this nationalization of larger landlords has evolved,” said Larry McDonough, a senior attorney with the National Housing Law Project.
McDonough is also a policy attorney for HOME Line, a nonprofit tenant advocacy organization that provides free legal advice to renters. The nonprofit has collected examples of nonoptional fees in Minnesota rental property lease agreements, ranging from a $25 monthly trash valet fee, a $15 monthly amenity fee, and a $100 administrative fee charged every January.
McDonough says those small fees can add up – especially for renters who applied to an apartment they thought was within their price point, only to find out it’s going to be more than they can afford.
A new law passed in the 2023 legislative sessions would require landlords to disclose all nonoptional fees anywhere the apartment listing is advertised. The fees also need to be disclosed on the front page of each lease.
“That way there’s clarity for a tenant before they even apply, of how much does this place actually cost,” said Rachael Sterling, HOME Line policy attorney.
McDonough says it will prevent people from getting “suckered into a place they can’t afford” with affordable-looking rent.
“That’s a big deal,” he said.
The housing omnibus bill had a number of other law changes, ranging from major issues to ones that likely won’t have a huge effect on most landlords or renters.
McDonough considers one of the biggest changes to be a requirement that landlords must provide a 14-day written notice to any tenant before filing an eviction case.
“I think it’s actually good for both [parties] because in that cooling off period, it will probably generate a conversation between the landlord and tenant that might lead to a payment plan, it might lead to the tenant deciding that, I can’t afford this place,” McDonough said.
Apartments that allow pets can no longer require tenant pet owners to declaw them.
Lastly, landlords must commit to maintaining a minimum temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit from Oct. 1 to April 30. According to the law, the only exception is if “a utility company requires and instructs the heat to be reduced.”
The Minnesota Multi Housing Association, which represents landlords and multi-housing owners across the state, opposed the omnibus bill and provided a statement:
“Minnesota’s rental housing providers remain focused on maintaining safe and affordable housing for all Minnesotans,” the statement read. “We are a state that has some of the most committed and invested local housing providers in the country. Their priority is to provide a great place to call home for every renter.”
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Donald Edmondson suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest at his north-side apartment building on Nov. 24, 2023.
MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis man who pleaded guilty to entering another man’s apartment and shooting him to death last year was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office released a statement saying 59-year-old Walter Hill was sentenced on second-degree intentional murder charges in 60-year-old Donald Edmondson’s November 2023 killing.
Prosecutors said Hill was given 337 days of credit for time already served.
“Mr. Edmondson should still be alive,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement. “A violent act committed with such disregard by Mr. Hill has taken him from his family. This sentence delivers accountability and protects our community, and I hope it brings some measure of peace to Mr. Edmondson’s loved ones as they attempt to move forward with their lives.”
According to police, Edmondson suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest at his north-side apartment building on Nov. 24, 2023.
The attorney’s office said Hill entered his guilty plea Monday.
Turns out, Twin Cities realtor and billboard personality Kris Lindahl is in on the joke.
MINNEAPOLIS — The makers of the video game “Call of Duty” launched a new, locally inspired campaign Friday, coinciding with the release of the franchise’s newest installment, “Black Ops 6.”
Motorists might notice real estate agent Kris Lindahl, famously seen with his arms out over every interstate in town, was replaced by *ahem* “The Replacer,” an Activision character played by actor Peter Stormare.
For the next few weeks, The Replacer will step in for Lindahl not only on billboards but also on advertisements across television, streaming and social media platforms.
But why does Lindahl need The Replacer’s help, you might ask?
So he’s free to play “Black Ops 6,” of course.
The Replacer isn’t new to Minnesota. He also once stepped into the shoes of Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards.
Reverend Shawn Morrison, founder and executive director of Good in the ‘Hood, shares his project to connect humanity through stories.
MINNEAPOLIS — In the busy intersections of life, some moments are often overlooked, while others are ignored.
Reverend Shawn Morrison, founder and executive director of Good in the ‘Hood, sees these intersections as opportunities for connecting and understanding.
“Three years ago, I just got a heart for this,” Morrison said, explaining that overlooking these moments was never an option. “Some might say it’s a calling that I was just compelled,” he shared, describing his deep motivation.
This project, “Will You See Me?” shares stories of people who are often unseen, aiming to create connections and build empathy. With each story, photograph and encounter, the team hopes to bring dignity and significance to every life they touch.
Ultimately, they plan to compile these stories and images into a book to serve as a powerful testament to the human experience.
“How can we not make it just an excursion but an encounter? How can we give dignity and significance a listening ear of understanding?” Morrison asked, hoping the project fosters empathy through shared narratives.
One participant, Wade Smith, reflected on the range of life experiences among the project’s subjects.
“I went to radio and television broadcasting school, yeah, and then I went to the service,” Smith shared.
Morrison’s approach includes photographing and recording participants’ words, preserving their voices authentically.
After initial challenges finding collaborators, Shawn Nielsen, owner of Nielsen Studios, and Elizabeth Korth, owner of Narrative Nuance, joined Morrison in his mission. Together, they approach individuals directly, offering respect, gift cards and a chance to be truly seen.
“People don’t even look at me,” Smith said. “It’s a problem for all Americans.”
Through each encounter, Morrison hopes to leave lasting impressions.
“I’m hoping that the people of our community start to see things differently, and they might ask this question, ‘What can I do?’” Morrison said.
Dre Woods, another participant, spoke about his family and dreams. Woods asked for help to take care of his four-legged companion, Oreo.
“I’m trying to feed her, right? That’s my baby,” Woods shared, revealing the motivations that guide him.
Dozens of stories and plenty of surprises, all things that give an often unshared perspective.
“I be asking God what it is why I’m still here. A lot of my friends not hear no more and I think about that,” Woods said.
Each interaction serves as a reminder of humanity’s shared connections.
“I think that it would encourage someone to do just something once. Each person could do something one day at a time, to be profound,” Nielsen said.
For Morrison, these stories are part of a larger mission.
“Boy, has there been a rest of the story for some of these beautiful people,” he said, hoping to inspire others to view their communities with fresh eyes.
Each moment and interaction serves as a call to action: look closer; adjust the community’s vision; and see the intersection they pass by more clearly — as part of their own destination.
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