Minnesota Fair Housing Compliance: Laws & Protected Classes Guide

Understanding and maintaining compliance with Minnesota's fair housing laws is crucial for property managers, landlords, and real estate professionals. This comprehensive guide covers the state's protected classes, key regulations, and best practices for preventing discrimination in housing.

Key Takeaways

• Minnesota offers broader protections than federal fair housing laws, with additional protected classes including sexual orientation, marital status, and public assistance status
• Property professionals must ensure compliance with both state and federal fair housing regulations
• Discriminatory practices in advertising and tenant screening can lead to significant penalties
• Regular staff training and policy reviews are essential for maintaining compliance
• Using automated compliance tools can help prevent inadvertent violations

Minnesota's Protected Classes

Minnesota's Fair Housing laws provide comprehensive protections against housing discrimination. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 363A.09, the following characteristics are protected:

• Race (including hairstyles)
• Color
• Creed
• Religion
• National origin (including ancestry)
• Sex (including pregnancy)
• Marital status
• Status with regard to public assistance
• Disability
• Sexual orientation (including gender identity)
• Familial status (including pregnancy)

Ready to ensure your listings are always compliant? Schedule a demo with FairSentry to see how FairSentry can automatically screen your content for potential violations.

Key Provisions of Minnesota Fair Housing Law

Prohibited Discriminatory Practices

Minnesota law prohibits several discriminatory practices in housing transactions, including:

1. Refusing to sell, rent, or lease based on protected characteristics
2. Discriminating in terms, conditions, or privileges of housing
3. Making discriminatory statements or advertisements
4. Representing that housing is unavailable when it actually is available
5. Steering prospective tenants to or away from certain neighborhoods
6. Discriminating in mortgage lending or housing-related services

Advertising Requirements

Property professionals must ensure their advertising materials comply with both state and federal regulations. For guidance on compliant advertising practices, see our article on Preventing Discriminatory Language in Property Advertisements.

Reasonable Accommodations

Minnesota law requires housing providers to make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, including:

• Modifying policies and procedures
• Allowing physical modifications to the property
• Permitting service animals and emotional support animals

For more information about accommodating assistance animals, refer to our Emotional Support Animals: Fair Housing Guide for Property Managers.

Compliance Best Practices

1. Staff Training

Regular training sessions should cover:

• Current fair housing laws and protected classes
• Proper handling of reasonable accommodation requests
• Compliant advertising practices
• Documentation requirements

2. Written Policies and Procedures

Develop and maintain:

• Tenant selection criteria
• Reasonable accommodation procedures
• Complaint handling processes
• Documentation requirements

3. Regular Audits

Conduct periodic reviews of:

• Marketing materials and listings
• Rental applications and screening procedures
• Property policies and rules
• Staff compliance with fair housing requirements

Learn more about compliance audits in our article on Fair Housing Compliance Audits: What Property Managers Should Expect.

4. Documentation

Maintain detailed records of:

• All housing transactions
• Accommodation requests and responses
• Tenant complaints and resolutions
• Training sessions and materials

Preventing Violations

Screening and Selection Process

To maintain compliance during tenant screening:

1. Use consistent screening criteria for all applicants
2. Document all decisions and supporting reasons
3. Maintain clear records of the screening process
4. Apply rental criteria uniformly

Marketing and Advertising

When creating property listings:

1. Focus on property features, not ideal tenants
2. Avoid potentially discriminatory terms or phrases
3. Include the Equal Housing Opportunity logo
4. Review all marketing materials for compliance

For more guidance on compliant property listings, see our article on Writing Compliant Property Listings: Best Practices and Guidelines.

Technology Solutions

Modern compliance tools can help prevent violations by:

• Automatically screening listings for discriminatory language
• Maintaining consistent documentation
• Tracking accommodation requests
• Monitoring marketing materials

Learn more about technological solutions in our guide to Automated Fair Housing Compliance: How Technology Prevents Violations.

Protect your business from fair housing violations. Contact FairSentry to learn how our AI-powered solution can help ensure your listings stay compliant.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Violations of Minnesota's fair housing laws can result in:

• Civil penalties
• Compensatory damages
• Punitive damages
• Attorney fees and costs
• Required training and monitoring

For more information about potential penalties, see our article on The Cost of Non-Compliance: Fair Housing Violations and Penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Minnesota's fair housing laws different from federal laws?

Minnesota provides additional protections beyond federal law, including protection based on sexual orientation, marital status, and status with regard to public assistance.

How often should staff receive fair housing training?

While there's no mandatory frequency, annual training is recommended to stay current with laws and best practices. Additional training may be needed when laws change or new staff join.

What should I do if I receive a discrimination complaint?

Document the complaint immediately, respond promptly and professionally, and consider seeking legal counsel. Maintain detailed records of all communications and actions taken.

How can I ensure my property listings are compliant?

Use automated compliance screening tools, focus on property features rather than tenant characteristics, and regularly review content for potentially discriminatory language.

Conclusion

Compliance with Minnesota's fair housing laws requires ongoing attention to detail, regular training, and robust policies and procedures. Property professionals should stay informed about current regulations and implement appropriate safeguards to prevent discrimination.

Consider using automated compliance tools and maintaining comprehensive documentation systems to support your fair housing compliance efforts. Regular review of practices and procedures, combined with staff training, can help prevent violations and ensure equal housing opportunities for all.