Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 12 § 244.1950
Tenant relocation assistance required (Minneapolis Housing Code)
Operative Text
(a) When a rental dwelling license or provisional license has been revoked, denied, or canceled based on condemnation, such action having been attributable to inadequate maintenance or management by the landlord, the landlord, as that term is defined in Minn. Statute Section 504B.001, shall pay relocation assistance to the tenant of any affected dwelling unit occupied at any point between the date the revocation, denial or cancelation is noticed and the date the revocation, denial or cancelation becomes final. The requirement imposed by this subsection to pay relocation assistance shall also apply to any tenants a landlord allows to occupy an affected dwelling unit after the revocation, denial, or cancelation becomes final and prior to the issuance of a new and valid rental dwelling license. The requirement shall additionally apply when tenants are required to vacate an unlicensed dwelling unit pursuant to section 244.1970 , when such vacation is caused by the landlord or property owner's failure to obtain or qualify for a valid and current rental dwelling license or provisional license, after notice, upon proper application as required by this chapter. Upon the commencement or occurrence of a qualifying revocation, denial or cancelation action, the city shall notify the landlord of the requirements of this section, and provide a copy of such notice to the tenants. The relocation assistance shall be in an amount equal to three (3) months of the current total monthly contract rent, or actual rent if demonstrably higher. The relocation assistance shall be paid without regard to whether the tenant is current on rent or other charges or fees owed, and not later than the day the tenant is ordered to vacate pursuant to sections 244.1970 or 244.1925 of this Code, or within seven (7) days of the revocation, denial or cancelation action becoming final, whichever is sooner. The landlord shall be required to provide sufficient records and proof of compliance with the terms of this section, in a manner established or ordered by the director or the director's designee. Should a landlord dispute a determination made by the director or the director's designee pursuant to this section, the dispute shall be subject to an expedited appeal hearing to be conducted and determined by an administrative hearing officer pursuant to Chapter 2 of this Code. (b) In addition to any other remedy available at equity or law, including but not limited to the rent escrow provisions and other actions and defenses authorized by Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 504B, failure to comply with the provisions of this section may result in criminal prosecution, adverse rental license action against all rental dwelling licenses in which the owner maintains an interest, and/or administrative enforcement, fines, restrictions, or penalties as provided in Chapter 2 or any other applicable section of this Code. A violation of this section as to each dwelling unit shall constitute a separate offense. A notice of violation, as described in section 244.150 , shall not be required to establish or enforce a violation of this article. The requirements of this section are enacted as a health and safety law of the City of Minneapolis, as that term is utilized pursuant to Minn. Statute Section 504B.161. (c) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the administrative fine for a violation of this section shall be the sum of any outstanding or delinquent amount of relocation assistance plus five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each affected dwelling unit. The city may establish a program or process to advance the relocation assistance amounts owed to tenants under this section that utilizes any available funding or budgetary source, and shall further be authorized to collect any delinquent amounts owed pursuant to this section through any available and authorized method. (d) This section shall become effective June 1, 2020. ( Ord. No. 2019-058 , § 1, 12-13-19; 2020-030 , § 1, 6-12-20)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.1950 requires landlords to pay relocation assistance to tenants when a rental dwelling license is revoked, denied, or canceled due to condemnation attributable to the landlord's inadequate maintenance or management. The assistance amount equals three months of the current total monthly contract rent (or actual rent if demonstrably higher) and must be paid no later than the day a tenant is ordered to vacate or within seven days of the license action becoming final, whichever is sooner. The rule applies regardless of whether the tenant owes any back rent or fees, and each affected dwelling unit counts as a separate offense if the requirement is violated.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 244.1950, operators whose rental dwelling license is revoked, denied, or canceled due to condemnation attributable to inadequate maintenance or management are generally expected to calculate three months of contract rent per affected unit and deliver that payment on time — before or on the day tenants are ordered to vacate, or within seven days of the action becoming final. Compliant operators maintain thorough records and proof of payment in a format acceptable to the director or the director's designee, since the ordinance explicitly requires such documentation. Failure to comply can trigger criminal prosecution, adverse license actions across all properties in which the owner holds an interest, and an administrative fine equal to any outstanding relocation amount plus $500 per affected unit.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 244.1950 gives tenants the right to receive relocation assistance equal to three months of their contract rent when their landlord's license is revoked, denied, or canceled due to condemnation caused by the landlord's inadequate maintenance or management. This right applies even if a tenant owes back rent or other charges, and the city is required to provide tenants with a copy of the notice sent to the landlord. Tenants who believe this right has been violated may explore remedies available under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 504B, raise the violation as a defense in relevant proceedings, or contact a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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