Identity Dinkytown, one of the new apartment complexes in Dinkytown is facing a lawsuit after landlords assured University of Minnesota students that their apartments would be ready by the anticipated move-in date of August 27th. Identity notified tenants in an email sent on August 2, just one day after tenants were required to pay one month’s rent, that the building would not be ready in time for the start of the school year, leaving many students in a scramble to figure out their living situation ultimately leading to parents and students suing the apartment complex.
Although the construction of Identity was supposed to be done last month, several students have filed lawsuits claiming that they were misled by the owners of the apartment complex as they were not notified about the delay until after paying rent. Many tenants have requested to be released from their lease, but this is not an option Identity Dinkytown is providing. Due to the fact that the building will be mostly occupied by students, parents and community members feel as if the situation is a disregard of student renting rights.
A representative reported to Kare 11 that the building would be offering the following accommodation options to students:
Option #1: provide your own accommodation until move in and receive a $150 per day provided until move in, plus a rent abatement per day until move in
Option #2: alternate housing provided by Identity Dinkytown and receive a $80 gift card util move in paying rent according to the lease agreement
To some students, these accommodations are not enough. Many students have been stuck commuting to and from campus. For other students, the accommodations provided by Identity Dinkytown have been very basic: a hotel with a coin washer/dryer, no microwave, and more. University of Minnesota students testified before the Minnesota Senate requesting better student tenant rights, as renters have reported that Identity Dinkytown will not let them out of their leases even though the building is not yet open to tenants. Instead of focusing on classes, Identity residents will be occupied with moving well into the semester.
The delay in communication and the construction delay has negatively impacted the school year for hundreds of students. Identity sent an email on September 5th to its tenants with updated move-in information: floors four, five and six have an anticipated move-in date of September 29th while floors one, two and three are anticipated to move in late October. Identity Dinkytown will still need to pass an inspection, which will allow them to move tenants in while construction is being wrapped up. Identity will need a temporary occupancy certificate, which only requires a building’s essential functions. Things like elevators, plumbing, ventilation, and electrical will need to be completely operational before tenants can move in.
However, some students have expressed gratitude towards employees at Identity for the help they have received throughout this process. Some students have been able to sublease their units with help from building managers.
With the help of the University’s student government and Student Legal Services at the University of Minnesota, tenants have filed lawsuits against Identity Dinkytown, hoping to end their lease and receive reimbursement of rent money and legal fees. Students were asked to testify at the town hall meeting hosted by Student Legal Services on August 18th to express concerns Identity has declined to comment on the situation but provided the following statement to MPR news.
“We are hopeful to have students moving in by the end of the month. In the meantime, we are committed to transparency and will provide students with regular updates until then”
While the university is not directly involved, any students who need help can reach out to Student Legal Services for assistance.
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