§ 504B.231 — Damages for Ouster
Plain-Language Summary
If a landlord illegally locks out, removes, or forcibly keeps a tenant out of their home, the tenant can sue for three times the actual damages or $500, whichever is more, plus attorney fees. This protection also applies to people in homes going through foreclosure or contract cancellation after the redemption period.
504B.231 DAMAGES FOR OUSTER.
(a) If a landlord, an agent, or other person acting under the landlord’s direction or control unlawfully and in bad faith removes, excludes, or forcibly keeps out a tenant from residential premises, the tenant may recover from the landlord treble damages or $500, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney’s fees.
(b) The remedies provided in this section are in addition to and shall not limit other rights or remedies available to landlords and tenants. Any provision, whether oral or written, of any lease or other agreement, whereby any provision of this section is waived by a tenant, is contrary to public policy and void. The provisions of this section also apply to occupants and owners of residential real property which is the subject of a mortgage foreclosure or contract for deed cancellation and as to which the period for redemption or reinstatement of the contract has expired.
History:
History: History:
1999 c 199 art 1 s 27