Minnesota Eviction Moratorium - Off Ramp
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Governor Walz instituted an eviction moratorium that restricted landlords from evicting most tenants. However, as the pandemic nears its close, the eviction moratorium is ending and landlords will soon be able to evict tenants for nonpayment of rent and material violations of the lease.
The Minnesota Legislature recently passed legislation ending the eviction moratorium and providing an off ramp that allows eviction filings to slowly recommence. This legislation provides a timeline where landlords may begin filing qualifying evictions after certain dates.
June 30, 2021 - Lease Termination and Nonrenewal Notices
After June 30, 2021, landlords may begin providing notices of lease termination or nonrenewal to tenants who have materially violated their lease. They may not give lease termination notices for nonpayment of rent, however.
July 14, 2021 - Material Breach Evictions
After June 14, 2021, landlords may begin filing eviction actions against tenants who have materially violated their leases, except those where the violation is failure to pay rent.
August 13, 2021 - Lease Termination for Nonpayment of Rent
Beginning on August 13, 2021, landlords may begin terminating leases of tenants who are behind on rent and who are not eligible for Covid-19 emergency assistance. Landlords still may not terminate the leases of tenants who are eligible for Covid-19 rent assistance.
September 12, 2021 - Evictions for Nonpayment of Rent
On September 12, 2021, for the first time in over a year, landlords may begin filing eviction proceedings against tenants for nonpayment of rent. At this point, they may evict tenants who have failed to pay rent and who are not eligible for Covid-19 rent assistance. If tenants are eligible and applying for rent assistance, the landlord may not evict them.
October 12, 2021 - Eviction Moratorium Off Ramp Ends
After October 12, 2021, all restrictions on lease terminations and evictions will be lifted except that landlords will be unable to file eviction proceedings for nonpayment of rent against tenants who have pending Covid-19 emergency rental assistance applications.
June 1, 2022 - All Eviction Restrictions Lifted
After June 1, 2022, all remaining eviction restrictions will be lifted, and evictions may proceed and authorized under Minnesota law.
While this off ramp signals the end of the Minnesota eviction moratorium, it still holds plenty of complexities and pitfalls of its own. Landlords who wish to proceed with an eviction should proceed carefully, in order to avoid unlawfully issuing a lease termination notice or wrongfully filing an eviction. The Minnesota landlord/tenant attorneys at RAM Law PLLC are well acquianted with the intricacies of the Minnesota eviction moratorium and can help guide you through the often complex eviction process. Call our landlord/tenant attorneys to set up your free consultation.