Duluth, MN Building Safety: Elevator Maintenance (2026)

' Under § 29A-39 and § 29A-40, if the landlord does not schedule or complete this repair within 14 days of a tenant's written notice, the tenant may contract for the elevator repair directly. Because an elevator typically serves a common area rather than a single unit, § 29A-41(a)(1) and (a)(2) let a tenant use the same process for common-area repairs necessary for the safety and operation of the building, provided the tenant first notifies every other affected tenant and schedules the work to minimize disruption.

All repairs, including elevator work, must be performed in a workmanlike manner and, where applicable, by a licensed contractor under § 29A-41(b). If the landlord disputes that the elevator repair is required, the landlord must respond in writing within 14 days and arrange a building official inspection; if the landlord misses that window, the right to dispute is waived under § 29A-41(c). The tenant may then deduct the documented repair cost from rent, capped at $500 or one-half month's rent, whichever is greater, under § 29A-41(b) (as cross-referenced in § 29A-39(b)).