Local Happenings

Renters Rights 101

By Logan Anderson (landerson14@css.edu)

March 28, 2025

When it comes to renting a new space to live and signing a lease, knowledge is power. Two lawyers from Justice North, Peter LaCourse and Angelica Ramirez, generously provided their time and knowledge to help answer questions and educate students at a Renters’ Rights 101 event sponsored by Pre Law Society on Feb. 24.

LaCourse and Ramirez stressed that lease agreements are contracts that go both ways, meaning both the tenant and the landlord have a responsibility to uphold the agreement. Renters who have problems with their landlords not following their lease agreement can call Justice North, a nonprofit civil law firm, or utilize LawHelpMN.org, which can help Minnesotans find lawyers or information about legal problems. 

It is best to first try to settle disputes without legal action, which can be done by putting in a work order for repairs or writing a letter about the problems. It’s important to always have this communication in writing, whether that is through email or a physical letter.

If a landlord does not follow the lease agreement or does not fix repairs within 14 days, renters can bring them to court and take a rent escrow action. This means the tenant can pay their rent to the court instead of directly to the landlord until the landlord fixes the problem. A judge will hear the case and if they rule in favor of the tenant, the tenant may receive some or all of the rent they paid into the escrow account. 

In the case of an emergency, such as loss of running water, heat, electricity, or serious infestations, tenants should first contact their landlord about the problem. If the landlord fails to take action in a timely manner, the tenant can file an Emergency Tenant Remedies Action (ETRA) in court.  This may result in the court ruling for the landlord to complete the repairs, deduct the cost of the repairs from the rent, or relocate at the landlord’s expense in extreme cases.

For first-time renters, LaCourse and Ramirez explained that it is ideal to rent from a known source, whether that’s someone you personally know or a company you’ve heard good things about. It’s also important to make sure that your housemates are people you trust to pay their share, and not to commit to something you can’t afford. 

To avoid unauthorized tenants, you should clear subleasers with your landlord. Always keep a paper copy of your lease so you can refer back to it, especially if you have problems with your landlord. Take pictures when you move in and when you move out to document the condition of the property. If the tenant requests it, landlords must do a walkthrough within five days of the lease end date and are required to explain the costs of any damages they see. LaCourse recommends always requesting the walkthrough.

So what can you do to ensure you have a good experience renting? Above all, remember that you and your landlord have entered into a contract together, and you must each hold up your end of the deal. It’s important to make sure that your landlord is not violating the lease and to hold them accountable if they are. Utilize resources such as Justice North or LawHelpMN.org to aid in any legal trouble. Renters have rights, and knowledge of these rights is an essential first step in being a powerful advocate for your safety as a tenant. 

If you want to get involved in improving renting policy in Duluth, you can join the Duluth Tenants Union. To learn more or to join the union, you can visit takeactionminnesota.org/duluth-tenants.