Renters' Guide to Frequently Asked Questions
The following information is provided to answer renters' most frequently asked questions.
Q. What are my duties as a renter under Minnesota law?
A. You must pay your rent on time, not cause damage to your apartment other than normal wear and tear, not unreasonably disturb other tenants in your building and obey the rules of your lease if you have one.
Q. How many unrelated people can occupy an apartment or rental house in Mankato?
A. Not more than five.
Q. How many people can sleep in a single bedroom?
A. Two people may sleep in a 70-square-foot bedroom (this is as small as a bedroom can be). Each additional person requires the room to be 50-square-feet larger. (A bedroom for three people must be at least 120-square-feet and for four, 170-square-feet, etc.)
Q. What are the parking requirements for rental housing?
A. Two spaces for each dwelling unit. Fraternities, sororities and rooming houses must provide two parking spaces for every three residents.
Q. Whose responsibility is it to provide garbage cans?
A. Landlords must provide containers for trash and garbage and also provide recycling receptacles.
Q. Does a landlord have a right to enter an apartment at any time?
A. No. Unless you have a specific agreement, a landlord must call and make arrangements with you before entering your apartment. Your landlord can enter your apartment in an emergency such as a fire or an overflowing bathtub.
SMOKE DETECTORS
Q. How does Mankato's new smoke detector ordinance affect me me?
A. It is now the renter's responsibility to report any non-working smoke detector. Renters can be fined up to $100 for failing to do so. Renters can be fined as much as $700 for disabling smoke detectors.
Q. What are the requirements for smoke detectors?
A. Landlords must provide smoke detectors centrally located in the area(s) where bedrooms are entered. Landlords must keep smoke detectors in working order and tenants must notify landlords whenever smoke detectors are not working.
LOUD PARTIES
Q. What is the definition of a loud party?
A. When the police receive a complaint and when they arrive they can hear music or noise from their vehicle.
Q. What happens when an oficer responds to a loud party complaint?
A. If the officer determines the party is loud, the officer will identify the host(s) and give them a verbal warning for "public nuisance". Arrests for other violations such as underage drinking, obstructing an officer, disorderly conduct, etc. are likely to be made if circumstances warrant it.
Q. Will my landlord find out if I receive a verbal warning for a loud party?
A. Yes. If you receive a second warning you and your landlord will be asked to attend a mediation conference at the Law Enforcement Center, 710 South Front Street. A landlord may lose his or her rental license if three loud party warnings are given in a year.
REPAIRS
Q. Who is responsible for repairs in my apartment?
A. Landlords must keep your apartment in reasonable repair and up to Mankato's rental housing code. You can not cause damage to your apartment, other than normal wear and tear.
Q. What should I do if my apartment needs repairs?
A. Tell the landlord or caretaker about the problem. If the problem isn't fixed, write a letter asking for the repair and keep a copy of the letter. If the repair is still not made call 387-8617 to ask for a firefighter to inspect your apartment. The basic rule is to tell your landlord and give him or her a reasonable time to fix it.
Q. What is a "reasonable time" for repairs to be made?
A. How long is reasonable depends on the problem. If you have no heat in December, a reasonable time is a few hours; if you have no heat in April a reasonable time may be much longer.
Q. Can I make repairs and deduct the amount from my rent?
A. Not in most Minnesota cities including Mankato.
Q. Can I make alterations such as wall papering or painting at my own expense?
A. No, not without your landlord's permission. You cannot install permanent fixtures, resurface floors, or make other alterations without the landlord's permission.
SAFETY TIPS
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Remember to keep your doors and windows locked.
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Have a friend collect your mail and newspapers while you are gone.
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If you have a dead-bolt lock keyed from both sides, remember to always keep a key in the lock on the inside whenever you are home. This will help you get out quickly in a fire or other emergency.
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Smoke detectors save lives, but only if they work. Be sure to check your detector every month.
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Use large heavy ashtrays and keep them away from upholstered furniture and curtains.
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Never smoke in bed.
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Keep lighters and matches away from children.
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Don't leave food unattended on the stove.
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Don't leave candles unattended.
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Sleep with your bedroom doors closed.
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Know two ways out of every room.
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Have an escape plan and make sure all family members know it.
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Identify an outside meeting place and never return to a burning building.
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Never overload electrical outlets.
PHONE NUMBERS TO REMEMBER
Emergencies and non-emergencies: Police, Fire, Ambulance 911
Rental Inspections: 387-8617
Call to make a complaint about unsafe conditions or repairs that remain unattended. For more information contact Mankato's Rental Office at 387-8617.
Fire Shift Commander: 387-8577
Call for information on housing inspections.
Fire Marshal: 387-8563
Call for fire safety information.
Mankato Department of Public Safety: 387-8790
Snow Emergency Hotline: 387-9001 (24-hour)
Call for the latest snow emergency information.
Citzens Service Bureau: 387-8694
Call for assistance with any problems pertaining to city services or facilities.
Street Maintenence Request Line: 345-0600 (24-hour)
Call to leave information on needed street repair.
Recycling Information 387-9907
Call for information on recycling opportunities in Mankato.
City offices by appointment: 387-8692
Call between 8: a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to schedule an after-hours appointment with someone from City Hall.
City Clerk: 387-8607
Call for information about elections or city licenses.
For more contact information access the Here to Serve You brochure.