A major decision that will impact Minnesotans’ privacy rights is waiting to be heard in the state’s court of Appeals.
It all started off simply enough. Jason and Jackie Wiebesick were a Golden Valley couple who lived in a duplex. One day, officials from the city approached them to ask permission to inspect their home. The stated reason was to collect information so as to make a decision over whether to renew the Wiebesick’s rental license.
Disturbed by the prospect of unfamiliar people walking around their home, the Wiebesick’s turned down the inspectors’ request. One might think it would have ended there, but the city saw to it that it didn’t.
Taking the case to court, Golden Valley authorities implored a county judge to issue a warrant overriding the Wiebesick’s objections and allowing them into the house. Tellingly, the judge refused their request for a warrant, prompting the city to reach even higher.
See video about the case on the next page:
If this is government housing, the government should have the right ot inspect…If this is private housing, of course not…
People will be using the Constitution as toilet paper soon.
Pushback..
Brought to you by democrats.
rights? we dont need no stinking rights.
Need a constitution? here take ours we aren’t using it.
Without a warrant? I can see that happening.
New York state assessor demanded to see my bath rm and threatned me with over assessment if I refused
the owner of the property made it a bussiness when he rented it. the landlord has to keep the building up to code and it is the city’s duty to make sure it is
This is BS. This is NOT their home…this is a property they rent out as a business, and there is plenty of legal precedent of regulation of business. I am very “no more government than necessary” but rental housing licensing and inspections are very much a “public interest”. Without it, you can have some seriously hideous and dangerous places made available to rent, and some people will rent them because they have no choice. The City was NOT demanding access to their residence. They were demanding access to a rental unit. If they don’t want to grant access, that is fine, but they also have to live with the consequence of not renting the property out to others. I know my fellow conservatives will come running like pavlov’s dog on this, but take a step back and chill out on this one. The public has the right to demand safe rental housing and that is administered through a licensing and inspections process. No inspection? No license.
Its not their home. It is a business space that they make profit from renting to others. If it was truly their residence…meaning the space within which they themselves live, the government has no place there, and wouldn’t come in because there is no rental license required.