Tenant rights but non-communicative with landlord

[Alisa SantaAna]

It’s winter in MN and my renter contacted me about a non-working stove with smell of gas. I’d tried calling and messaging/ email through cozy next day and several days later to get more details on the problem and stove itself with zero communication back from the tenant. This began 2 weeks ago with no further communication by them. After 5 days of no responses I assumed the issue had been resolved. Today I get a call from the city that there is a concern by the tenant regarding neglect.

This is my first rental and am learning the hard way but I feel I’m starting on defense with them having contacted the city before allowing myself to fix the issue. The tenant has been an issue each month since purchasing in July 2019. There are also other violations of the lease at hand.

Suggestions? They are month to month renters and I am debating non renewing the lease so I can just get in the property to fix what may be wrong. The majority of issues stem from them not cleaning and is causing more expensive fixes of plumbing/ hvac. Would this impinge on their renters rights? I’m not trying to retaliate by any means but I’m not sure how a problem can be fixed if the complaining party doesn’t give more information or agree to a time I can assess the issue and thus fix it.

Thank you all!

[Patricia Steiner]

A tenant reports smelling gas.  That's an emergency and it allows you immediate access to the property.  "Minnesota law states that a landlord may enter a leased premises only for a business purpose and only after making a good-faith effort to give reasonable notice - and in cases of emergency. This statute does not prohibit a landlord from entering a unit when tenants are away, but the landlord is required to provide a written disclosure of the entry in a conspicuous place if he or she entered the property without giving advance notice and while the tenant was away."

I recommend leaving a message for the tenant that you will be entering the property to address the gas and stove issue (immediately).  Then go.  Knock before entering and do your inspection/repairs.  Then leave a sealed envelope on the door with a statement indicating what you did and that the purpose for the inspection was his/her report of malfunctioning stove/gas smell. 

Know your rights as a landlord and enforce your lease. Your tenant cannot hold you hostage - especially with something like this that can endanger life and property.    Go now!