Le Sueur, Minn., Mun. Code Ch. 115 (2026) § 115.97
RECOVERY OF COSTS
Operative Text
(A) Costs incurred by city. The costs of such work, including the costs of administration, enforcement and other related costs, including attorney's fees related to enforcement of this chapter, may be made a special assessment against the property involved, or may be made a personal obligation of the property owner, or may be certified to the County Auditor for collection with the property taxes under Minn. Stat. § 366.012, as the City Council shall determine is appropriate. (B) Personal obligation. The City Council may order that the charge shall be made a personal obligation of the property owner or assess the charge against the property involved. If the City Council orders that the charge shall be a personal obligation of the property owner, it shall direct the City Attorney to collect the same on behalf of the city by use of all appropriate legal remedies. (C) Special assessment. If the City Council orders that the charge shall be assessed against the property, it shall be levied and collected as a special assessment in the manner provided by M.S. §§ 429.061 to 429.101. Prior to submission of the assessment to the county, the City Council shall, on the date the assessment is adopted, add an administrative fee of up to 15% (depending on the amount of administrative and related expense otherwise included in the amount of the special assessment itself) of the amount then due. The assessment shall be payable in a single installment. (D) Certification to County Auditor per Minn. Stat. § 366.012. If the City Council orders the charge shall be certified to the County Auditor per M.S. § 366.012, the property owner shall be notified in writing of such proposed certification prior to September 15, and such charge shall be certified to the County Auditor prior to October 15 in any given year. Penalties and interest shall accrue on such charge in the same manner as provided for in the collection of property taxes. (E) Repayment of funds. All money recovered by payment of the charge or assessment or from the sale of the property at foreclosure sale shall be paid to the repair and demolition fund or other fund from which the costs were drawn. (Ord. 585, passed 5-25-2020)
Le Sueur Ch. 115 Rental Regulations § 115.97 establishes the mechanisms by which the City of Le Sueur may recover costs it incurs when performing work related to rental property enforcement, including administration, enforcement, and attorney's fees. The City Council has discretion to pursue recovery through three distinct paths: placing a special assessment against the property, creating a personal obligation for the property owner, or certifying the charge to the County Auditor for collection alongside property taxes. Any funds recovered through these methods are returned to the city fund from which the original costs were drawn.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Le Sueur Ch. 115 Rental Regulations § 115.97, property owners whose properties require city-initiated enforcement work may find themselves liable for the full costs of that work, including administrative fees and attorney's fees. Operators who stay in compliance with Chapter 115 generally avoid triggering these cost-recovery mechanisms, since the provision only activates when the city has already incurred expenses on a property's behalf. When a special assessment is pursued, the City Council adds an administrative fee of up to 15% of the amount due before submitting it to the county, and the full amount is payable in a single installment — making proactive compliance a financially significant consideration.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Le Sueur Ch. 115 Rental Regulations § 115.97 is primarily directed at property owners and the city's cost-recovery process, but tenants may find it relevant when understanding how the city enforces rental regulations against non-compliant landlords. When the city incurs costs enforcing Chapter 115, this provision gives the City Council authority to recover those costs from the property owner — not from tenants — through assessments or personal obligations. Tenants who believe enforcement action may be warranted can contact the City of Le Sueur directly, reach out to a tenant-rights organization, or consult an attorney to understand what options may be available under this chapter.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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