Murder inclusion in Minneapolis

[Marcus Johnson]

So this is directly from the City of Minneapolis website where the Renter Protection Ordinance was passed unanimously by the City Council and will go into effect June 2020.  Please read, because apparently as a Landlord now I must accept a murderer, who was evicted, assaulted someone in the first degree, committed arson and robbery all in one.  Good times here in Minneapolis.  

1.  Limits on screening for criminal history cannot consider misdemeanors with dates of sentencing older than 3 years

2.  Cannot consider felonies with dates of sentencing older than 7 years cannot consider convictions for certain felonies with dates of sentencing older than 10 years, including: first-degree murder, second-degree murder, third-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, kidnapping, first-degree criminal sexual conduct, first degree assault, first degree arson and first degree aggravated robbery. •Limits on screening for rental history

3.  Cannot consider evictions where judgment was entered three or more years from date of application

4.  Cannot consider settlements entered 1 or more years before applicant submits application

5.  Cannot consider dismissed evictions or evictions resulting in judgement for the applicantoCannot screen out for insufficient rental history oIf a landlord requires an income equal to three times the rent or higher, the landlord must allow an exception where the applicant can demonstrate a history of successful rent payment with an income less than three times the rent.

6.  Limits on screening for credit history

7.  Cannot screen based on credit score, but can consider information in credit report if it’s relevant to ability to pay rent

8.  Cannot screen out for insufficient credit history

[Bruce Runn]

As someone who has both a former felon who spent 22 years in prison for drugs and other guys who have spent some time in jail for lesser things on my construction crew and who are all very hard workers, have families, and turned their lives around-they know they can't and won't go back to those things.  Are people saying they don't/shouldn't get "any" opportunity to a second chance 7-10 years after a crime?  They obviously need housing and a job so they don't re offend.  I get the argument that landlords shouldn't be "forced" into accepting substandard applicants but where is the line?  I know this is a passionate subject