Termination of contracts for deed modified for victims of domestic violence

A right to petition the court to remove someone from a contract for deed when the person has committed domestic violence, sexual assault or harassment against another owner or their child is the focus of a new law.

A contract for deed is a seller-financed real estate transaction where the buyer(s) purchase a property by making installment payments directly to the seller instead of obtaining a traditional bank mortgage.

This new law that takes effect July 1, 2026, will allow an unmarried person to petition the court to terminate another person’s interest in a contract for deed when that person has been the victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or harassment from the other person, and the person who committed the assault or abuse has not resided at the property and the person petitioning has been making payments for the home or other real property that is under contract.

Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL-Shoreview) and Sen. Heather Gustafson (DFL-Vadnais Heights) are the sponsors.

HF3970*/SF3907/CH80

HF3970* / SF3907 / CH80