Renter Resources
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APPENDIX Important Resources |
Important Resources
University of St. Thomas
| Commuter Center and Off-Campus Services |
(651) 962-6138 |
| Public Safety and Parking Services |
(651) 962-5100 |
| John Hershey, Neighborhood Liaison |
(651) 962-6123 |
Tenants Rights Information
| St. Paul | ||
| Homeline | (612) 728-5767 | |
| Minneapolis | ||
| Minnesota Tenants Union | (612) 871-7485 | |
State Resources
| Minnesota Attorney General's Office |
(651) 296-3353 |
| Public Utilities Commission |
(651) 296-7124 |
| Energy Information |
(651) 296-5175 |
|
Minnesota Multi-Housing Association ( |
(952) 854-8500 |
Building Inspection, Court Information
| St. Paul/Ramsey County | ||
|
(651) 266-8989 | ||
|
(651) 266-8230 | ||
|
Housing Court |
(651) 266-8236 | |
|
Environmental Health (inspector for buildings with one to two units) |
(651) 215-0700 | |
|
Fire Marshal (inspector for buildings with three+ units) |
(651) 228-6230 | |
| Minneapolis/Hennepin County | ||
| City Information |
(612) 673-3000 | |
| Conciliation Court |
(612) 348-2713 | |
|
Health Inspector |
(612) 673-2170 | |
| Housing Court |
(612) 348-6000 | |
| Housing Inspector |
(612) 673-5858 | |
|
Fire Marshal |
(651) 215-0500 | |
Discrimination and Harassment
| Housing Discrimination Law Project |
(612) 334-5970 |
| Minnesota Human Rights Department |
(651) 296-5663 |
| St. Paul Human Rights Department |
(651) 266-8966 |
| Minneapolis Civil Rights Department |
(612) 673-3012 |
| Ramsey County Harassment Office |
(651) 266-2957 |
| Hennepin County Harassment Office |
(612) 348-7959 |
Mediation Services
| St. Paul Dispute Resolution Center |
(651) 292-7791 |
| Minneapolis Minneapolis Mediation Program |
(612) 822-9883 |
Legal AssistanceAt the University of St. Thomas
Free walk-in legal advice is offered almost once a week during the academic year. Please check the Dean of Students web page for exact dates, times and locations.
St. Paul
| Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services |
(651) 222-4731 |
| Attorney Referral |
(651) 224-1775 |
Minneapolis
| Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis | ||
| Downtown Office |
(612) 332-1441 | |
| Volunteer Lawyers Network |
(612) 752-6677 | |
Sample Letters and Contracts
Sample Letters
The following letters are provided as suggestions for your consideration when communicating with your landlord. Send all letters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The Post Office will return a receipt to you, signed by the recipient, to prove that the letter was received. Keep a copy of all letters you send.
I. Letter of Termination (
Printable version)
(Send at least 30 days before you wish to terminate your lease.)
Dear __________________________,
I am writing to inform you that I/we intend to vacate the (type of accommodation) at (address) as of (date of departure).
I/we will return the keys on (date, year). I/we would appreciate it if you would schedule an inspection of the property before we leave to ensure that you are satisfied with its condition. I/we will call you to set up an appointment.
Please return the security deposit to me at the following address:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Sincerely,
Tenant(s) name(s) and signature(s)
II. Letter Requesting Repairs ( Printable version)
Dear ________________,
As reported to you by phone on (date), we are requesting that the following repairs be made:
(list repairs)
Minnesota law requires that the landlord:
1. Keep the premises and common areas fit for the use intended
2. Keep the premises in reasonable repair during the tenancy
3. Maintain the premises in compliance with the applicable state and local health and safety laws
If you fail to respond to this request within ______ business days, we have the right to take further action.
I sincerely hope the above repairs will be made in a reasonable amount of time. Please call me at ___________ to discuss a timetable for making the repairs.
Sincerely,
Tenant(s) name(s) and signature(s)
III. Letter Breaking a Lease ( Printable version)
Dear ____________________,
As you know, I am the tenant at (address), under a lease that runs from (date) to (date).
Due to (list specific reasons such as family crisis or a leave of absence from the university), it is necessary for me to terminate my lease early. I need to leave on (date). I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you, and I will cooperate with you in every way to see that a new tenant is found as promptly as possible.
I would appreciate it if you would release me from the lease without any penalty, since the circumstances of my departure are beyond my control. I will call you (specify date) to discuss this matter.
Sincerely,
Tenant's name and signature
SAMPLE FORMS
The forms below are provided as suggestions for your consideration. Keep in mind that these types of agreements can be legal documents, so we suggest you visit the Commuter Center on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of any month from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. to seek free legal advice before entering into a legal agreement.
I. Sample Co-Tenant Agreement ( Printable version)
This Agreement is made on the ________ day of ____________, 20_______, between ________________, ________________, ________________, and ________________.
The parties to this Agreement are joint tenants of a rental unit located at ___________________ (address). These tenants agree that their responsibilities under the lease and to each other shall be governed by the following terms.
WE AGREE:
-
That each of the tenants shall follow the rules and conditions set out in the lease (attached).
-
That each of the tenants shall pay one ____________ (1/___ ) of the following expenses:
a. ________________ rent ($____ /mo.)
b. ________________ telephone service
c. ________________ electricity/cooking gas
d. ________________ water
e. ________________ heating oil/gas other -
That each tenant shall pay for the long-distance phone calls he or she makes.
-
That each tenant shall contribute an amount of money (in proportion to their percentage of rent) to supply the landlord with the full security deposit. At the end of the lease, each tenant shall receive his or her share of the security deposit, minus any unpaid rent or damage caused by an individual tenant.
-
If a tenant creates more damage than her/his share of the security deposit will cover, then that tenant shall reimburse the other tenants for any losses in their shares of the security deposit.
-
If a tenant moves out before the end of the lease, that tenant must make arrangements to reimburse the other tenants for unpaid rent and/or bills.
-
That each of the tenants shall remain a resident of the premises during the term of the lease, or continue to pay her/his share of the rent, unless these steps are followed:
a. Written consent to sublet is obtained from the landlord.
b. The tenant, at her or his own expense, will locate a new tenant to sublet their share. -
This new tenant should not be refused by the other tenants without reasonable cause. The sublettor should know that she or he is responsible ultimately for the actions of the tenant to whom they sublet. If rent is not paid or problems arise with the sublettee, the person on the lease can be held legally and financially responsible.
-
That any tenant who pays the rent late shall he responsible for any fees which may arise due to their late payment.
Signatures
___________________ Date _______, ___________________ Date _______
___________________ Date _______, ___________________ Date _______
___________________ Date _______, ___________________ Date _______
II. Sample Sublet Agreement ( Printable version)
Definitions:
1. Sublettor - original tenant
2. Sublettee - new tenant
It is mutually agreed on this _______ day of _____________, 20 ____, between ________________ (sublettor) and ________________(sublettee) that all rights and duties described below shall be assumed by the sublettee for the term of the sublet agreement specified below. The sublettor acknowledges that s/he has sought and received permission to sublet their premises. The sublettee acknowledges receipt of the original lease and agrees to be bound by the terms of the original lease consistent with this sublet agreement effective ___/___/___. The sublettee understands and agrees that s/he will be liable for any damage beyond normal wear and tear to the subleased premises and for any monies due and owing under the terms of this sublease agreement. Description of original lease and premises:
Address of rental unit:
________________________________________________________________
No. Street Apt. # City State ZIP
Landlord identity:
________________________________________________________________
Name Phone #
Term of original lease:___/___/___ to ___/___/___
Term of sublet agreement: ___/___/___ to ___/___/___
Provisions of sublet agreement:
A) Delete (1) or (2)
1) The sublettee shall be liable for the full rent of the sublettor in the amount of $____ per month.
2) The sublettee shall be liable for part of the rent of the sublettor in the amount of $____per month. The sublettor shall remain liable for the remaining $ _____ per month
B) Delete (1) or (2)
1) The sublettee shall pay a security deposit in the amount of $ __________ to be held by . Date sublettor received sublettee's security deposit: ___/___/___
2) The sublettee shall pay no security deposit.
C) Rent of the sublettee shall be payable to _____________________________ at the address of __________________________________________________
D) Rent of the sublettee shall be paid on or before the _____ day of each month.
E) The sublettee shall be responsible for her/his share (which is _____ percent) of the following utilities (check utilities not included in the rent):
______ gas (cooking and heat)
______ telephone service
______ heating oil
______ water and sewage
______ electricity
______ other: _____________
F) F. The sublettor shall return the sublettee's security deposit within 21 days after the sublettee moves out. If any deductions are made from the deposit (for damages beyond ordinary wear and tear or for money due and owing under the terms of the sublease agreement), these must be completely itemized and given to the sublettee within the same 30-day period after move-out.
Signatures
________________________________________________ Date _________
Sublettee
________________________________________________ Date _________
Sublettor
________________________________________________ Date _________
Approved by
_________________________________________________ Date__________
Landlord
III. Sample Basic Lease ( Printable version)
This Agreement is made and executed in duplicate this _______ day of __________, 20___ by and between Landlord/Leasor: ____________________ (hereinafter called Landlord), and the following tenant(s):
Tenant _________________________, Tenant __________________________,
Tenant _________________________, Tenant __________________________,
1. Rental accommodations and payment schedule:
a) Landlord will provide the following accommodation located at
______________________________________________________________
Type of accommodation is: (circle one) House Room, Apartment, Room and Board.
Term of lease is for ______ months, commencing on the _______ day of __________,
20 ____, and ending on the _____ day of ________, 20 ______, at and for the total rent of $ ____________ dollars, payable in monthly installments as follows: The first installment is payable on the execution of this agreement and the remaining installments are payable in advance on the _______ day of each month.
b) The aforementioned rent includes the following:
(please check)
( ) Oil ( ) Electricity
( ) Water ( ) Gas
( ) Parking ( ) Other ____________________
2. Damage security deposit:
The aforementioned tenant(s) do(es) hereby agree to pay the sum of $_______________ on or before the ______ day of ___________, 20 _______, which sum shall be held in escrow by the landlord as a Damage Security Deposit. This sum may be used by the landlord to compensate for any itemized property damage costs (properly receipted), ordinary wear and tear excepted, or unpaid telephone utility bills. The deposit or portion thereof will be refunded:
(a) upon proper notice of cancellation of the lease, and
(b) within 45 days from the end of the rental period if there are no damages.
3. Condition of premises:
a. Landlord warrants that the premises are habitable, the tenant(s) shall have the quiet enjoyment of same and that the premises comply with housing codes and statutes. This is an independent condition and covenant.
b. The tenant(s) agree(s) to return the premises in good condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and damage not proximately caused by the tenant(s) active negligence excepted.
c. Both parties agree that prior to occupancy and prior to termination of this agreement, appropriate written inventories will be taken to determine said condition of the premises, and that such inventories will be taken with all parties of the agreement present. Said inventories are to be attached to this agreement.
4. Use of premises:
Tenant(s) agree(s) to use of the premises only for residential purposes.
5. Termination of occupancy:
Tenant(s) agree(s) as follows: not to transfer or assign this agreement, nor let or sublet the whole or any part of said premises without the written consent of the landlord.
6. Joint and several obligation:
If the above described premises are rented as an apartment or other housing unit to more than one tenant, then each of said joint tenants shall be jointly and severally (individually) responsible for the total rent and/or damages set out above.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, the parties to this agreement have fixed their signatures below on the date first written above.
Date __________________, 20 ____
Landlord ________________________ Tenant ________________________
*Thanks to the University of Maryland and the National Clearinghouse
for Commuter Programs for information included in this publication.
