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Bill Summary · HF 4960

Summary of HF 4960 (2025-2026) – Minnesota

Purpose

HF 4960 proposes to extend the duration during which a landlord must furnish heat to residential premises. The core obligation added by the bill is an explicit requirement that certain living spaces be heated to a minimum temperature for a specified portion of the year, with details tied to seasonal dates.

Key Provisions

  • Minimum heat requirement (new clause in §504B.161, subd. 1):
    Landlords must equip or furnish heat to maintain a minimum temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit in all places intended for habitation (including kitchens and bathrooms) during the specified seasonal window.

  • Seasonal window (existing and quoted text):
    The minimum temperature of 68°F is required from October 1 through September 30 of the following year, with an exception if a utility company instructs heat reduction. (Note: The bill text as provided shows a potential typographical issue in the date format (“October September 1” and “May 31” vs. “April 30”). The intended interpretation appears to be October 1 through April 30, with a possible extended or adjusted window depending on utility guidance. The language in the bill reflects a continuous heating obligation across the cooler months, subject to utility instructions.)

  • Other landlord duties (subdivision 1):
    The bill reinforces several existing landlord duties in the same subdivision, including:

    • Keeping premises and common areas fit for their intended use.
    • Maintaining reasonable repair during the lease term (including pest control, unless disrepair is caused by tenant conduct).
    • Making the premises reasonably energy-efficient where cost-effective, with energy-efficiency measures (weatherstripping, caulking, storm windows/doors) amortized over a ten-year period if they are cost-saving based on current and projected energy costs in Minnesota.
    • Maintaining compliance with health and safety laws at federal, state, and local levels, including local rental licensing requirements, except when violations are caused by tenant conduct.
    • Prohibiting waivers or modifications of these covenants in a lease or license.

Who Is Affected

  • Landlords of residential properties: The primary impact is to bind them to a longer, explicit heat-furnishing obligation and to maintain compliance with health, safety, and energy-efficiency standards outlined in the section.
  • Tenants/Residents: Benefit from a clearer, enforceable standard for heating during the heating season and enhanced protections related to health and safety in the living environment.
  • Utility and local governmental bodies: May interact with the heating requirement where utility company instructions or local ordinances influence the practical application of the heating standard.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Introduced in the 2025-2026 session, H. F. No. 4960. Referred to the House Committee on Housing Finance and Policy on 04/13/2026.
  • Amendments and sponsors: Authored by Kozlowski; co-sponsors include Liish Kozlowski (listed) and Larry Kraft (later noted as added). The action history shows an amendment addition on 04/16/2026 (name Kraft added).
  • Effective date and transition: The bill text provided does not specify an effective date or phase-in period; typical legislative process would determine when the provisions take effect if enacted (often upon passage or a defined future date).

Notable Considerations

  • The core change is a duty to furnish heat at 68°F for a defined portion of the year.
  • The language includes a safeguard allowing a utility company to require heat reduction, indicating coordination with energy providers.
  • The bill reiterates that covenants in leases cannot be waived or modified to avoid these obligations.

If you want, I can provide a plain-language explainer for tenants and a quick comparison to current Minnesota statutes to highlight the exact shifts in obligations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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