Tenant Dispute Resolution Steps

Summary

In Minnesota, landlords can refuse partial payments if the lease or policy specifies this. Review your lease for clauses on fees and partial payments. Document all communications with your landlord. Consider sending a formal letter outlining your concerns. Check Minnesota tenant rights laws and contact the Minnesota Attorney Generals Office for advice. Mediation may help resolve disputes. Consulting a local tenant rights organization or attorney can provide personalized guidance.

Full Conversation

We are a tenant renting from invitation homes. We have been in the building for nearly 3 years and they became the landlord *-*-*. We started receiving bills for a smart home device which was not working - we asked them to install the correct one. They completed that after multiple attempts but we did not receive the camera as was stated. We did not pay for the $* smart home fee while not working and they began charging us late fees. In April we spoke with them on the 28th and again made our points. We sent in our rent payment without the late fees and then on may 3rd we received a letter saying they do not take partial payments and returned our check. What grounds for recourse do we have as the matter in question we had requested to speak with someone for weeks without help
It sounds like you're dealing with a challenging situation. Here are a few general steps you might consider:
- Review your lease agreement to understand any clauses about fees and partial payments.
- Document all communications with your landlord regarding the issue.
- Consider sending a formal letter outlining your concerns and requests.
- You may want to consult with a local tenant rights organization or attorney for more specific guidance.
Have you had any communication with a tenant rights organization in Minnesota?
Any other advice?
Here are a few additional steps you might consider:
- Check Minnesota tenant rights laws for any specific protections.
- Contact the Minnesota Attorney General's Office for consumer protection advice.
- Consider mediation to resolve disputes with your landlord.
If you haven't already, it might be helpful to consult a housing attorney for more specific advice tailored to your situation.
Can a landlord refuse our payment after stating a rule change after we sent check?
In Minnesota, a landlord can refuse partial payment if their lease or policy states they do not accept it. Here are some steps you can consider:
- Review your lease for any clauses about partial payments.
- Ensure all communications with the landlord are documented.
- You might want to consult a local tenant rights organization or attorney for personalized advice.
Have you checked your lease for any specific clauses regarding this issue?