Landlords and tenants; effective dates clarified, landlord covenants modified, additional remedies provided, and technical changes made.

HF 2261 clarifies and modifies Minnesota's landlord-tenant laws, directly affecting residential landlords and tenants. The bill updates landlord covenants (Minnesota Statutes 504B.161) requiring properties to be fit for use, in reasonable repair, energy-efficient under specific cost-saving conditions, and compliant with health/safety laws. It provides tenants with a clearer process to deposit rent with the court administrator if landlords fail to fix violations after 14 days (Minnesota Statutes 504B.385), while adding a 14-day written notice requirement for landlords before tenant legal action (Minnesota Statutes 504B.395, subdivision 4). These changes aim to streamline dispute resolution without altering core tenant protections.