IF YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS YOU CAN END YOUR LEASE

Reality

 A lease is a binding contract! There are resources to help you address issues with your landlord. If problems persist, contact legal services to see if your landlord is in violation of the lease.

IT IS REALLY HARD TO GET YOUR DAMAGE DEPOSIT BACK

Reality

Under MN law the damage deposit remains the property of the tenant throughout the tenancy. When you move out, your landlord has to prove it is entitled to any money it wants to deduct from your deposit.

YOU CAN ASSUME THAT YOUR BEDROOM WILL HAVE A WINDOW

Reality

Minnesota building codes do not require all bedrooms to have windows. If you are renting in a building with a modern fire sprinkler system, bedrooms may not have to have windows.

YOU CAN ASSUME THAT YOUR BEDROOM WILL HAVE A WINDOW

Reality

Minnesota building codes do not require all bedrooms to have windows. If you are renting in a building with a modern fire sprinkler system, bedrooms may not have to have windows.

LANDLORDS MUST HONOR PROMISES MADE BEFORE THE LEASE WAS SIGNED

Reality

Landlords deal with many tenants. There is also a lot of employee turnover in the leasing business. You should never rely on oral promises made before the lease is signed. All promises should be written into the lease or on a separate document signed by both the landlord and tenant..

YOU NEED TO SIGN A LEASE IN THE FALL FOR THE NEXT YEAR, OR ALL THE APARTMENTS WILL BE FULL

Reality

If you wait until spring, housing will still be available. There is more rental housing in the University area than ever before, and new units are constantly being added.

YOU CAN SIGN A LEASE TO HOLD ONTO A UNIT AND THEN SIGN ANOTHER IF PLANS CHANGE

Reality

A lease is a binding document, you can't always get out of it just like that. 

YOU CAN'T BE EVICTED IN THE WINTER

Reality

​In MN tenant can be evicted in any season. Some leases may limit the ability of a tenant to give a notice for moving out during the winter months.

TENANTS WHO HAVE A FIXED TERM LEASE DON'T HAVE TO GIVE NOTICE AT THE END OF TENANCY

Reality

Many leases contain notice provisions requiring tenants to give 30, 60, or more days of notice prior to moving out at the end of the lease even if the lease is for a fixed term.

YOU CAN RELY ON YOUR LANDLORD FOR LEGAL ADVICE

Reality

This is not a good idea. Landlords have a very different perspective than tenants regarding the law. Get legal advice or referrals from Student Legal Services.