Q: I discovered from the Shoreview city inspector in December 2021 that my current landlord doesn't have a rental license. I was made aware of this issue when there was a small fire in my kitchen oven on Dec. 30.
The oven coil spontaneously started on fire when I turned on the oven. I called 911 for assistance and the fire department was dispatched to my apartment. Later that day I reached out to the Shoreview city inspector to report the incident.
I had contacted him previously when I had other unresolved maintenance issues from an earlier landlord. He informed me that he didn't have my landlord's name or contact information and that my landlord didn't have an active rental license. The previous landlord sold this unit to the current landlord at the end of October 2021.
The city inspector indicated by e-mail that the oven wiring was discovered to be installed incorrectly and the circuit breaker was outdated and not up to code. I was without an oven in my apartment for 30 days. I tried to negotiate a rent credit for February 2022. My landlord refused to give me a rent credit and has openly expressed anger toward me because I contacted the city for assistance.
She also told me I have to move when my lease ends in August 2022 since she wants to move into my unit. I don't know if my landlord has purchased a rental license yet, but can I sue my landlord for the time period she didn't have a rental license? What options do I have in this situation?
A: Many cities in Minnesota, such as Shoreview, require landlords to obtain a rental license if they are renting out units or apartments to tenants. The rental license may include an annual fee, a simple notification to the city, an inspection, or some other stipulation. The licensing requirements vary depending on the city.
Oftentimes there are exceptions to the license requirement, such as if the homeowner is renting out rooms in their home while residing there. In some cities, the landlord may still be required to obtain a rental license even if they are renting out only one room in a house.
In your case, you do have some options. First, you could file a rent escrow action with the county asking for rent abatement for those 30 days you were without an oven. Also indicate in the paperwork that you'd like a rent refund due to your landlord not being licensed. You should also mention in your action that your landlord is retaliating, which is illegal, since she told you she won't be renewing your lease in August right after you contacted the city inspector about your stove fire.
