Frequently Asked Questions

• A person selling a property may prepay outstanding special assessments.
• This is usually negotiated between the buyer and seller, or often required by the buyer’s loan agreement. 
• However, payment is not required at the time of sale.
• Special assessments left unpaid will continue to be carried on the property taxes of the new owner for the remaining term of the assessment.

Contact the City of Hopkins Deputy City Clerk at Hopkins City Hall or call 952-548-6366 for instructions.

To qualify for the special assessment deferment, all of the following are required:

• The applicants must be 65 years of age or older, or retired by virtue of a permanent and total disability for whom it would be a hardship to make the payments. Property owners who have not attained age 65, but are retired as a result of a permanent and total disability must establish such disability by evidence satisfactory to City Council;
• The applicant must be the owner of the property;
• The property for which deferment is requested must be classified as homestead; and
• The annual income of owners requesting a deferment is found not to exceed the sum of $45,625 as of January 1, 2023. This amount shall subsequently be adjusted annually by the Consumer Price Index for the Twin City area.

Active Duty Military Reserves:

In 2008 the MN Legislature amended the statute to include property owned by a person who is ordered into active military service, as defined in section 190.05 subdivision 5b or 5c, as stated in the person’s military orders, for whom it would be a hardship to make the payments.

Only special assessments for permanent improvements are eligible.

The deferral will automatically terminate if:

• The owner dies and the surviving spouse is otherwise not eligible for the deferment
• The parcel or any part thereof is sold, transferred, or subdivided
• The property should for any reason lose its homestead status
• The City shall determine that the owner or the owner’s spouse no longer qualifies
• The owner terminates the deferral

Upon termination of the deferral, the deferred special assessments are due and payable along with accrued simple interest during the assessment period at the rate established for payment of assessments at the time the assessment roll was adopted.

Minnesota Statutes, Sections 435.193 through 435.195, authorize cities to defer the payments of special assessments.

City Ordinance No. 90-683 effective on July 24, 1990 has established the criteria by which special assessments may be deferred.