(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, if a landlord, an agent, or other person acting under the landlord's direction or control, interrupts or causes the interruption of electricity, heat, gas, or water services to the tenant, the tenant may recover from the landlord treble damages or $500, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney's fees. It is a defense to any action brought under this section that the interruption was the result of the deliberate or negligent act or omission of a tenant or anyone acting under the direction or control of the tenant. The tenant may recover only actual damages under this section if:
(1) the tenant has not given the landlord, an agent, or other person acting under the landlord's direction or control, notice of the interruption; or
(2) the landlord, an agent, or other person acting under the landlord's direction or control, after receiving notice of the interruption from the tenant and within a reasonable period of time after the interruption, taking into account the nature of the service interrupted and the effect of the interrupted service on the health, welfare, and safety of the tenants, has reinstated or made a good faith effort to reinstate the service or has taken other remedial action; or
(3) the interruption was for the purpose of repairing or correcting faulty or defective equipment or protecting the health and safety of the occupants of the premises involved and the service was reinstated or a good faith effort was made to reinstate the service or other remedial action was taken by the landlord, an agent, or other person acting under the landlord's direction or control within a reasonable period of time, taking into account the nature of the defect, the nature of the service interrupted, and the effect of the interrupted service on the health, welfare, and safety of the tenants.
(b) The remedies provided in this section are in addition to and shall not limit other rights or remedies available to landlords and tenants. Any provision, whether oral or written, of any lease or other agreement, whereby any provision of this section is waived by a tenant, is contrary to public policy and void. The provisions of this section also apply to occupants and owners of residential real property which is the subject of a mortgage foreclosure or contract for deed cancellation and as to which the period for redemption or reinstatement of the contract has expired.
1999 c 199 art 1 s 25
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 500 - 515B — Property And Property Interests
Chapter 504B — Landlord And Tenant
Section 504B.001 — Definitions.
Section 504B.101 — Distress For Rent.
Section 504B.111 — Written Lease Required; Penalty.
Section 504B.113 — Service And Support Animal Documentation.
Section 504B.115 — Tenant To Be Given Copy Of Lease.
Section 504B.116 — Prorated Rent Required.
Section 504B.118 — Receipt For Rent Paid In Cash.
Section 504B.121 — Tenant May Not Deny Title; Exception.
Section 504B.125 — Person In Possession Liable For Rent; Evidence.
Section 504B.131 — Rent Liability; Uninhabitable Buildings.
Section 504B.135 — Terminating Tenancy At Will.
Section 504B.141 — Urban Real Estate; Holding Over.
Section 504B.145 — Restriction On Automatic Renewals Of Leases.
Section 504B.146 — Lease Duration Notice.
Section 504B.147 — Time Period For Notice To Quit Or Rent Increase.
Section 504B.155 — Tenant Must Give Cold Weather Notice Before Vacation Of Building.
Section 504B.161 — Covenants Of Landlord Or Licensor.
Section 504B.165 — Unlawful Destruction; Damages.
Section 504B.171 — Covenant Of Landlord And Tenant Not To Allow Unlawful Activities.
Section 504B.172 — Recovery Of Attorney Fees.
Section 504B.173 — Applicant Screening Fee.
Section 504B.175 — Prelease Deposit.
Section 504B.181 — Landlord Or Agent Disclosure.
Section 504B.185 — Inspection; Notice.
Section 504B.195 — Disclosure Required For Outstanding Inspection And Condemnation Orders.
Section 504B.204 — Action For Rental Of Condemned Residential Premises.
Section 504B.205 — Residential Tenant's Right To Seek Police And Emergency Assistance.
Section 504B.206 — Right Of Victims Of Violence To Terminate Lease.
Section 504B.211 — Residential Tenant's Right To Privacy.
Section 504B.215 — Billing; Loss Of Services.
Section 504B.221 — Unlawful Termination Of Utilities.
Section 504B.225 — Intentional Ouster And Interruption Of Utilities; Misdemeanor.
Section 504B.231 — Damages For Ouster.
Section 504B.235 — Definitions.
Section 504B.241 — Residential Tenant Reports; Disclosure And Corrections.
Section 504B.245 — Tenant Report; Remedies.
Section 504B.251 — Recording Of Notice Of Cancellation Of Leases.
Section 504B.255 — Termination Notice Requirement For Federally Subsidized Housing.
Section 504B.261 — Pets In Subsidized Disability Accessible Rental Housing Units.
Section 504B.265 — Termination Of Lease Upon Death Of Tenant.
Section 504B.271 — Tenant's Personal Property Remaining In Premises.
Section 504B.275 — Attorney General's Statement; Distribution.
Section 504B.281 — Forcible Entry And Unlawful Detainer Prohibited.
Section 504B.285 — Eviction Actions; Grounds; Retaliation Defense; Combined Allegations.
Section 504B.291 — Eviction Action For Nonpayment; Redemption; Other Rights.
Section 504B.301 — Eviction Action For Unlawful Detention.
Section 504B.305 — Notice Of Seizure Provision.
Section 504B.311 — No Eviction Action If Tenant Holds Over For Three Years.
Section 504B.315 — Restrictions On Eviction Due To Familial Status.
Section 504B.321 — Complaint And Summons.
Section 504B.325 — Expedited Relief.
Section 504B.331 — Summons; How Served.
Section 504B.335 — Answer; Trial.
Section 504B.341 — Continuance Of Trial.
Section 504B.345 — Judgment; Execution.
Section 504B.351 — Failure Of Jury To Reach A Verdict.
Section 504B.355 — Form Of Verdict.
Section 504B.361 — Forms Of Summons And Writ.
Section 504B.365 — Execution Of The Writ Of Recovery Of Premises And Order To Vacate.
Section 504B.375 — Unlawful Exclusion Or Removal; Action For Recovery Of Possession.
Section 504B.381 — Emergency Tenant Remedies Action.
Section 504B.385 — Rent Escrow Action To Remedy Violations.
Section 504B.391 — Violations Of Building Repair Orders.
Section 504B.431 — Service Of Judgment.
Section 504B.435 — Landlord's Right To Collect Rent Suspended.
Section 504B.441 — Residential Tenant May Not Be Penalized For Complaint.
Section 504B.445 — Administrator.
Section 504B.451 — Receivership Revolving Loan Fund.
Section 504B.455 — Removal Of Administrator.
Section 504B.461 — Termination Of Administration.