Minnesota habitability law and Hennepin County rental inspection programs require landlords to address bed bug infestations promptly, with treatment costs typically borne by the property owner.
Under Minnesota habitability standards (Minn. Stat. §504B.161) and city housing codes within Hennepin County, rental units must be free from pest infestations including bed bugs. Landlords must respond to tenant complaints, hire a licensed pest control operator, and pay for treatment in most circumstances. Tenants must cooperate with preparation steps such as laundering, decluttering, and granting access. Hennepin County Public Health and city inspectors investigate complaints in delegated cities. Repeated failures can lead to housing-court actions or rental-license action by the city.
Failure to abate confirmed infestations after notice can result in housing-code citations, rental-license review, and tenant remedies including rent escrow under Minn. Stat. §504B.385.
See how Hennepin County's bed-bug rules rules stack up against other locations.
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