Tenants rights when selling rental property-MN

[Angie Bart]

Last fall we decided to sell our rental property and after discussing with the tenants, we decided to wait until after the holidays to soften the impact to them. (The annual lease was never fully signed by both parties, so it is now considered a month-to month lease)

A week ago we informed them we would need to get into the house to take photos for listing, and would be putting on a lockbox for showings. Tenants responded that they had been in touch with a rental legal advice organization and that they were told they did not have to have a lockbox on the house if they would be available to let in realtors/buyers for showings with 24 hrs notice. And furthermore, they did not need to leave during the showing if they were paying rent. They also stated they did not want any photos taken that would show their possessions (couch, beds, etc). When I called the organization they were in touch with, the org would not give out any info to landlords.

I am wondering if anyone knows if there is in fact, any law that states tenants are not required to leave during a showing and/or not required to allow a lock box on the home?

Are we required to get their approval for 24 hr showing request or just required to inform them of showing 24 hrs. in advance?