South Dakota Codified Laws 43-32-27. Cause of action against lessor for retaliatory conduct
A cause of action may arise in favor of a lessee and against a lessor of residential property, including a manufactured or mobile home community owner, for retaliation by the lessor against the lessee if the lessor increases rents above fair market value; if the lessor decreases electric, gas, water, or sewer services; or if the lessor gives the lessee notice to vacate the premises when such notice is not based upon a breach of the terms of the lease; subsequent to any of the following special events:
(1) The lessor has received written notice from the lessee or a governmental agency that the lessee has complained to a governmental agency charged with responsibility for enforcement of a building or housing code violation applicable to the premises and materially affecting health and safety, and the complaint is determined to be reported in good faith; or
Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 43-32-27
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Fair market value: The price at which an asset would change hands in a transaction between a willing, informed buyer and a willing, informed seller.
- Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
- Property: includes property, real and personal. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
- written: include typewriting and typewritten, printing and printed, except in the case of signatures, and where the words are used by way of contrast to typewriting and printing. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
(2) The lessee has given written notice to the lessor of a condition requiring repair pursuant to § 43-32-9; or
(3) The lessee has organized or become a member of a tenant’s union or organization.
It shall be a defense to this cause of action that the notice to vacate the premises was given by the lessor more than one hundred eighty days after the occurrence of a special event. The failure of the lessor to renew any written lease prior to or upon its expiration, is not retaliation.
Source: SL 1994, ch 341, § 1.