A Savage woman was surprised to find that her 70-year-old mother still owed rent, even though she had recently died. The management company that ran the senior apartments said it needed 60 days notice before it would terminate the lease.
"What are you going to do? Evict her?" the daughter said.
State law allows a landlord or a representative of the tenant's estate to cancel the lease with two months' notice. But the tenant's estate is still liable for the rent during the notice period, as well as any needed repairs.
Mike Vraa, managing attorney for the tenant advocacy organization HOME Line, said landlords aren't allowed to collect double rent payments if someone leases the unit during that notice period.
Should landlords be able to pursue rent from deceased tenants?
