Contact Info

Community Development
6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy.
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430

Phone: (763) 569-3330
Fax: (763) 569-3360
Email

Hours

Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Resources

Rental Licensing

Licensed Rental Properties

Crime Free Housing Program

FAQs

What does having a rental license mean to a potential tenant?

Landlords must have and be able to show proof of a rental license. It is illegal to offer a dwelling for rent without a current rental license. The license indicates, among other things, that the dwelling has been inspected by the city and has met minimum housing standards. In order to make sure that an apartment stays in compliance, routine inspections are conducted by the City of Brooklyn Center. Landlords should notify tenants in advance to avoid surprises and to allow tenants to secure or cage all pets.
Who is responsible for repairs in an apartment or rental house?

Landlords must keep your apartment in reasonable repair and up to Brooklyn Center's rental housing code. Tenants may not cause damage to the apartment, other than normal wear and tear. Tenants cannot make alterations to the property without the landlord's permission, which includes installing permanent fixtures, resurfacing floors, or making other alterations.
What do I do if my smoke alarm isn't working?

If a smoke alarm is found to be nonfunctioning in a rental unit, it is required to give the landlord written notice within 24 hours, so repairs can be made as soon as possible. Failure to notify the landlord or willfully disabling a smoke alarm is classified as a petty misdemeanor.
How many people can occupy an apartment or rental house?

Occupancy is limited to one family or no more than five persons not related by blood, marriage, or adoption, with the total number of occupants never to exceed two times the number of habitable rooms, which excludes the kitchen. Occupancy limitations are necessary to ensure decent, safe, and sanitary housing.
Why should I have renter's insurance?

Landlords will typically have insurance coverage on their rental homes, but this type of insurance does not account for a tenants' personal belongings. Renter's insurance is an optional but extremely valuable form of protection for those who live in rented dwellings. It may include both property and liability protection for the covered policy holder, as well as certain additional benefits. Most major insurance agencies offer these policies.
What do I do if I have a complaint?

The City of Brooklyn Center will not get involved in landlord / tenant lease disputes. If, however, you have a complaint regarding the condition of the property, you have notified the landlord and given a reasonable amount of time to correct the violation, you may file a complaint in writing with City Hall, at which point an inspector will follow up on the complaint. It is unlawful for the landlord to retaliate in any way against a tenant for filing a complaint. If faced with a health / life safety hazard and you have already notified your landlord, notify the city immediately.

More FAQs

Rental Program

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In April of 2010, a new performance-based rental license program was implemented. License categories are based on the condition of the property as determined by the rental license inspection and by excessive validated public nuisance police calls. The conditions attached to each license category are designed to help the operator maintain and improve the condition and management of the property.

Since June 1, 1975, the City of Brooklyn Center has required rental property to be licensed in order to assure that rental housing is decent, safe, and sanitary and does not become a nuisance to the neighborhood. Both landlords and tenants are responsible for meeting city housing standards and being a good neighbor.

View licensing information.

Unlicensed Rental Properties
Owners of a non-licensed rental property may be subject to fines, prosecution charges, and incarceration. Rental license violation is a misdemeanor. To determine if a property is licensed, search rental licenses.

View City Rental Ordinance Chapter 12.

Association for Responsible Management (ARM)

By the coordination of efforts of the City and property managers of Brooklyn Center, the Association for Responsible Management (ARM) will strive to foster a cohesive and respectful community for all by promoting clean, safe, and attractive rental properties that are valued and appreciated by owners, tenants, and neighbors.

Vision

It is the vision of the ARM that all Brooklyn Center residents will enjoy a healthy, safe, and beautiful living environment. Renters of all income levels will have access to the highest-quality rental properties possible. Homeowners, tenants, and property managers are mutually respectful, involved in the improvement of the city’s image, and enjoy a vibrant, welcoming community. Property managers practice good business tactics and are rewarded with quality tenants.

Objectives

Act as a networking resource for property managers
Educate and inform property managers about current city initiatives
Improve the safety and quality of all rental properties in the city to improve and maintain the city’s image with citizens and neighbors
Promote resources for property managers and tenants
Provide more accessible dialogue between government, residents, and property managers
Solicit workshop/meeting feedback from attendants to increase meeting effectiveness

Newsletters

Handouts & Forms

The following handouts and forms are important to the management of the rental property.

Forms

Crime Free Housing Lease Addendum
Landlord Tenant Rights & Responsibilities - MN Attorney General's Office
Rental License Plan

Handouts

Other Resources

Important Numbers

Resources

Association for Responsible Management (ARM)
(763) 569-3330

Community Mediation Services, Inc.
(763) 561-0033
www.mediationprogram.com

Home Line
(612) 728-5767
www.homelinemn.org

Inspection Scheduling
(763) 569-3344

Licensing Questions
(763) 569-3306

Live Smoke Free Minnesota
(651) 646-3005
www.mnsmokefreehousing.org

Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance
430 First Ave. N, Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 332-1441
(612) 332-4668 TDD
(612) 334-5755 Fax
mylegalaid.org

Minnesota Crime Prevention Association
(651) 793-1109
www.mncpa.net

Planning and Zoning Questions
(763) 569-3316

The Minnesota Multi Housing Association (MHA)
1600 W. 82nd St., Suite 110
Bloomington, MN 55431
(952) 854-8500
(952) 854-3810 Fax
www.mmha.com

Tenant & Landlord Responsibilities

The responsibilities of being a landlord and a tenant are governed by the State and by local ordinances.The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office publishes a handbook titled “Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities,” that outlines the expectations spelled out by the State Statutes.The handbook is available at no cost and can be obtained by calling the Minnesota State Attorney General’s Office at (651) 296-3353 or 1 (800) 657-3787 (TTD 1-800-366-4812) or by visiting www.ag.state.mn.us.

Tenants have an obligation to help keep a rental property in compliance with community standards, the owner is also liable for any violations.It is ultimately the landlord’s responsibility to ensure safe and sanitary living conditions within the rental property.Both landlords and tenants are responsible for the prevention of insect and rodent infestation.All extermination must be completed by a licensed contractor.

Conduct on Rental Property

The landlord is responsible for the overall conduct of their tenants.Landlords are notified of complaints of loud parties or disorderly conduct that result in police action.Landlords are expected to manage their tenants when these events occur.Subsequent problems may result in the rental license being suspended or a lower license category/designation.For more information see City Code 12-911.

Tenant Resources

Attorney General’s Office

MN Courts

Landlord and Tenant Safety Tips

Lease Signing

Tour the actual unit available for rent.
Complete a move-in inspection with the owner/property manager.
Read the lease agreement before signing.
Ask for copies of the lease agreement, move-in inspection, and receipts for any money exchanged.

During Tenancy

Have and escape plan and make sure all family members know it. Always have two ways to escape.
Make sure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are working at all times. Complete monthly inspections.
Do not leave food unattended on the stove and candles unattended while burning.
Keep matches and lighters away from children.
Keep your home clutter free, clean, and organized.
Report any work orders or pest infestation immediately to your landlord.
Lock windows and doors at all times.

Vacating the Property

Provide a written notice to vacate in accordance with your lease agreement.
Complete a move out inspection with the owner/property manager.
Provide a valid forwarding address for your mail and security deposit.
Remove all personal belonging and clean the unit in accordance with your lease agreement.

Rental Tips for Landlords

Be knowledge about MN protected classes to avoid discrimination cases.
Conduct background checks using a third party agency
Have a lease agreement that includes:
- Tenant name and other occupants
- Lease dates and terms
- Rent amount, due date, and how to pay rent
- Conduct rules
- Maintenance procedures, contact, and fees (if applicable)
- Vacating procedures

Properties with three or more units that are sold to a new owner will be required to provide protection for tenants. The purpose of the Tenant Protection Ordinance is to essentially freeze the terms of the existing lease for a 90 day period of time, allowing tenants time to relocate should they need to.

The ordinance requires a new owner of a property with three or more units, and with rents that are considered affordable, to pay relocation benefits to tenants if the new owner increases rent, re-screens existing residents resulting in tenants relocating from the property, implements non-renewals without cause within 3 months after the purchase or materially changes the terms of the lease resulting in the tenant relocating from the property.The ordinance would require new buyers to notify tenants within 30 days if substantive changes to the lease are forthcoming, giving tenants time to relocate if necessary.

The ordinance defines "Cause" as the renter violating a provision of the City's rental housing provisions, nonpayment of rent, malicious destruction of property, or disturbing the peace. This means that a new landlord would not be able to non-renew a lease except for these reasons during the tenant protection period. A landlord would still be able to evict a tenant through the typical legal process.

Rental Inspections

Once an owner has applied for a rental license, the City will schedule a rental license inspection. The inspection will be conducted in all units, common areas including, but not limited to the mechanical, laundry, basement, and garages. The purpose of the inspection is to assure that all rental housing is decent, safe, sanitary, and is operated and maintained, as not to become a nuisance to the neighborhood or become an influence that fosters blight and deterioration.

The inspection is conducted to ensure that the property meets minimum building, housing, and property maintenance standards found in Chapter 3, 12, and 19 of the City Code. Prior to the inspection owners and managers are encouraged to do a pre-inspection of their property to ensure that property code violations are corrected prior to the rental license inspection. Included in the rental license packet is the Rental Property Checklist. Owners and managers are encouraged to review and use the brochure as a checklist, to find the most common code violations that are found during the rental license inspection.

Scheduling

Rental inspections have resumed on a limited basis and notices will be sent for any upcoming inspections.During inspections, staff will observe social distancing and will have on PPEs throughout the inspection.If there are any owners, property managers, or family members who have been sick or are sick, the inspection staff will not conduct the inspection and will re-schedule for a later date.Rental license inspections are scheduled as an AM (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) or PM (1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.) inspection. To inquire about or schedule an inspection time, contact the Community Development Department at (763)-569-3330.

Objectives

Inspect all units and accessory structures.
Provide information and resources for property managers.
Educate and inform property managers about the current housing and building codes.
Improve the safety and quality of all rental properties in the City to improve and maintain the City’s image with citizens and neighbors.
Provide more accessible dialogue between government, residents, and property manager

Resources

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