HF3981 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Process for a termination of lease upon the death or infirmity of a tenant modified.
Related bill: SF4369
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
The bill changes how a residential lease can end when a tenant dies or becomes infirm. It adds a formal process that allows a lease to be terminated before its expiration in certain situations, and it places these rules in the Minnesota lease statutes. The provision applies to residential leases signed before July 1, 2026.
Main Provisions
- For a residential lease signed before July 1, 2026, any party to the lease (except a lease-at-will) may terminate the lease early in the circumstances described, specifically upon the death of the tenant or, if there is more than one tenant, upon the death of all tenants.
- The termination must be done in the manner provided in the new subdivision added to the statutes (subdivision 2).
- The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 504B.265 subdivision 1 to reflect this early-termination option.
- The bill adds Minnesota Statutes 504B.266 with subdivisions 2 and 3 to define the procedure and requirements for this termination process.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new process (via 504B.266 subdivisions 2 and 3) for terminating a residential lease upon the death of the tenant or all tenants.
- Alters the existing termination language in 504B.265 subdivision 1 to incorporate this death-related termination right.
- Establishes that the early termination option applies specifically to leases signed before July 1, 2026, effectively grandfathering older lease agreements into this new framework.
Practical Impact (plain language)
- Families or co-tenants could end a lease early if the tenant dies (or all tenants die, if there are multiple tenants).
- Landlords and tenants now have a defined process to handle such terminations, rather than relying on vague or ad hoc arrangements.
- New rules are not described for leases signed after July 1, 2026 in the text provided; the change is targeted to older leases.
Relevant Terms - termination of lease - residential lease - death of the tenant - death of all tenants - infirmity - Minnesota Statutes 504B.265 - Minnesota Statutes 504B.266 - subdivision 2 - subdivision 3 - before July 1, 2026
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 05, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Housing Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 504B.265 subdivision 1 to modify termination of a residential lease upon death of the tenant.",
"modified": [
"Modifies 504B.265 subdivision 1 to allow termination of a residential lease upon the death of the tenant or, if more than one tenant, upon the death of all tenants."
]
},
"citation": "504B.265",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds 504B.266 subdivisions 2 and 3."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds new subdivisions to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 504B.266 related to termination of lease upon death or infirmity of a tenant.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "504B.266",
"subdivision": "subdivisions 2 and 3"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee