Ron Elwood, supervising attorney of the Legal Services Advocacy Project (of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid) recently spoke with KSTP 5 Eyewitness News about tenants in the Twin Cities area who reported being without heat or hot water in their homes over the last month. Elwood explained “Our role is to make sure that the law is followed, and tenant’s rights are protected. He added that, “It is required that not only folks have heat, but that heat is at 68 degrees or more during the winter.”

If a renter is without heat, Elwood noted that an emergency tenants’ remedies action can be filed in court with guidance from a lawyer. He outlined various remedies a judge can order, and an emergency action will expedite the process.

As of January 1, other new Minnesota laws went into effect to protect tenant’s rights, and the KSTP website highlights resources and help available through Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid and LawHelpMN.org.