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Minnesota Latest to Enact Opportunity to Repair Law
 Minnesota became the 30th state to adopt the notice and opportunity to repair (NOR) approach to resolving consumer defect complaints when Governor Tim Pawlenty signed legislation on May 16.
The new Minnesota law requires a home owner to notify a builder of an alleged construction defect. The builder then has 30 days to inspect the property and offer to make repairs.
“The enactment of NOR is a victory for home owners and home builders alike,” said Builders Association of Minnesota President Jeffrey M Schoenwetter, owner of JMS Custom Homes. “Members of the builders association worked long hours with home owners and the legal community to make this work. We applaud the legislature and Governor Pawlenty for providing a process that allows a home owner and builder to resolve a construction dispute without having to go to court.”
Minnesota follows Wisconsin and Oklahoma in enacting NOR during the current legislative session. In addition, Virginia recently adopted legislation strengthening its opportunity to repair statute by including condominiums and condo conversions within the NOR process.
"It's worth noting that 30 states have now enacted notice and opportunity to repair laws," said NAHB President David Pressly. "This is certainly not a coincidence. Across the country, state legislators and governors have recognized that contentious litigation is not the best way to resolve construction defect disputes."
"Notice and opportunity to repair laws provide a common-sense approach to dealing with construction defect problems," Pressly added. "It's an approach that has received widespread and bipartisan support across the country. This support goes beyond government officials to the members of our industry and the public in general. I applaud the efforts of our builders throughout Minnesota who worked so diligently to see this legislation enacted.”
For more information about Minnesota's NOR law, e-mail Lisa Frenette, manager of government affairs with the Builders Association of Minnesota, or call her at 651-646-7959.
For more information about NOR laws across the country, e-mail Gerry Keegan with NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8326.
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