(ST. PAUL, Minn.) - In 2023, Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega (DFL-Saint Paul) and Rep. Esther Agbaje (DFL-Minneapolis) passed a comprehensive Tenant’s Bill of Rights that established renters’ rights to organize and protect tenant associations from retaliation from landlords. A new tenants union has launched in Bemidji to help renters negotiate rent prices and have basic maintenance in the buildings where they reside.
Reps. Pérez-Vega and Agbaje released the following statement:
"We are proud to support the Bemidji Tenants Union in their quest to advocate for and organize renters in the Bemidji area. We're also proud of the work we did to pass the Tenant's Bill of Rights package that is helping renters take the initiative to advocate for better living conditions.
“As our homeless and housing insecurity crises continue to challenge Minnesotans, we need laws that shift the power dynamic from landlords to renters. Renters should not be afraid of retaliation from landlords. Our laws are clear and are meant to empower renters throughout the state to advocate for fairer living conditions. We're proud our bills are working as they should and know more work is needed as housing inequities persist throughout the metro and greater Minnesota. Every Minnesotan deserves the right to a stable, fair, and secure home."
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