Minnesota Room Rental Agreement
A Minnesota room rental agreement is a legal document that establishes the terms for a secondary tenant to rent part of a unit from the primary tenant. This agreement ensures that both parties can live together peacefully under mutually agreed-upon terms.
Minnesota Room Rental Agreement
Purpose of the Agreement
The rental agreement serves several important functions, including guiding the use of shared spaces, defining the division of private spaces, setting cleanliness expectations, and stating each party’s financial responsibilities, which include rent and utilities.
Vetting Potential Roommates
To prepare for the arrival of a roommate, the primary tenant can utilize a rental application. This application helps to vet the background of potential roommates and assess their suitability for living in the shared space.
Guest vs. Tenant in Minnesota
According to multiple sections in Chapter 504B of the Minnesota Statutes, the distinction between a guest and a tenant is significant. A guest becomes a tenant when they exchange services or rent money for a place to live on the property. State law allows a landlord to permit a guest to remain on the property only as a guest; however, guests do not receive the same rights as tenants under this arrangement. This distinction is crucial for understanding the rights and responsibilities of individuals living in a rental property in Minnesota.
Statutes
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.177 – Late Fees
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.178 – Interest on security deposits; withholding security deposits; damages; limit on withholding last month’s rent
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.118 – Receipt for rent paid in cash
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.173 – Applicant screening fee
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.175 – Prelease deposit
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.111 – Written lease required; penalty
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.115 – Tenant to be given copy of lease
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.145 – Restriction on automatic renewals of leases
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.425 – Judgment
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.172 – Recovery of attorney fees
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.135 – Terminating tenancy at will
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.211 (Subd 2) – Residential tenant’s right to privacy
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.211(Subd 4) – Residential tenant’s right to privacy
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.211 (Subd 5) – Residential tenant’s right to privacy
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.211 (Subd 6) – Residential tenant’s right to privacy
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.225 – Intentional ouster and interruption of utilities; misdemeanor
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.375 – Unlawful exclusion or removal; action for recovery of posession
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.381 – Emergency tenant remedies action
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.155 – Tenant must give cold weather notice before vacation of building
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.161 – Covenants of landlord or licensor
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.181 – Landlord or agent disclosure
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.195 – Disclosure required for outstanding inspection and condemnation orders
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.171 (Subd 1) – Covenant of landlord and tenant not to allow unlawful activities
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.171 (Subd 2) – Covenant of landlord and tenant not to allow unlawful activities
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.206 (Subd 1(b))
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.206 (Subd 3)
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.206 (Subd 4)
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.385 (Subd 2) – Rent escrow action to remedy violations
- Minn. Stat. § 504B.441 – Residential tenant may not be penalized for complaint
FAQs
A Minnesota room rental agreement is a legal document that outlines the terms under which a secondary tenant can rent part of a unit from the primary tenant. It details the use of shared and private spaces, cleanliness expectations, and financial responsibilities such as rent and utilities.
In Minnesota, a guest becomes a tenant when they exchange services or rent money for a place to live on the property. This transition grants them tenant rights, which differ from those of a guest who is allowed to stay without such an exchange.
Before bringing in a roommate, a primary tenant should use a rental application to vet the potential roommate’s background and assess their suitability. This step helps ensure a harmonious living arrangement.
A room rental agreement specifies each party’s financial responsibilities, including the division of rent and utilities. This clarity helps prevent misunderstandings regarding payment obligations.
Guests in Minnesota do not have the same rights as tenants. While a landlord may allow a guest to stay, that guest’s rights are limited compared to those of a tenant who has entered into a rental agreement.
Common terms in a room rental agreement include guidelines for shared and private space usage, cleanliness expectations, and the financial responsibilities of both the primary tenant and the secondary tenant.