Minneapolis Rent Control Part Of November Election

With all the talk in the national media about the 2026 and 2028 elections, it’s easy to forget there are elections happening this year too.

Perhaps most important to housing providers, in Minneapolis there is a mayoral race and all 9 city council seats are on the ballot.

If you own a duplex, triplex or fourplex in the city, pay attention. That’s because the mayor’s race and every single city council seat are shaping up to be a referendum on rent control, rent stabilization, and even the idea of a rent freeze.

How We Got Here

Back in 2021, Minneapolis voters said gave the city council the power to craft a rent control ordinance.

Since then, City Hall has churned out work groups, task forces, and reports on how rent stabilization might work. But as of today? No official rent control policy exists in Minneapolis.

The Mayor’s Role

Here’s where it gets interesting for property owners:

• Mayor Jacob Frey has consistently opposed traditional rent control. He’s made it clear he worries it will scare off developers and stall new housing supply. This seems to have been the case in St Paul, where voters passed a 3% cap on rent increases in 2021.
• Frey even went so far as to promise developers he wouldn’t back strict rent caps. That gives investors confidence—but it leaves renters frustrated.

On the flip side, Sen. Omar Fateh is challenging Frey and campaigning on a pro-renter platform:

• He’s floated both a short-term rent freeze (to stop increases cold) and a longer-term rent stabilization plan (to cap annual hikes).
• His vision: renters shouldn’t get priced out of Minneapolis.

So, the mayor’s race comes down to: pro-growth, anti-rent-control Frey vs. pro-rent-stabilization Fateh.

The City Council Factor

All 13 council seats are also up for grabs. Why does that matter? Because even if the council passes a rent stabilization ordinance, the mayor can veto it.

To override? The council needs 9 votes. Right now, the progressive bloc that favors stronger renter protections is a couple votes short of that. Retiring council member Andrea Jenkins, a landlord herself, was often a crucial swing vote for housing providers.

If this year’s elections swing left, we could suddenly have a veto-proof council. That means rent stabilization—or even a rent freeze—could hit the ballot and become real law. And a rent freeze is far more severe than rent control.

Rent Control vs. Rent Freeze vs. Rent Stabilization

Let’s untangle the terms:

• Rent Control: Hard caps. Landlords can only charge up to a set amount.
• Rent Freeze: No rent increases allowed—at least for a temporary period.
• Rent Stabilization: A softer version—rents can go up, but only within limits (say, 3–7% a year).

Fateh’s leaning toward stabilization but has also dangled the idea of a freeze to get quick relief for renters.

What Duplex Owners Should Watch

If you own a rental property in Minneapolis, pay attention to these moving pieces:

• Who wins the mayor’s race. Frey’s re-election likely keeps rent control off the table. Fateh’s win could fast-track it.
• The council math. Nine rent-control-friendly council members could override a mayoral veto.
• The ballot question. Even if the council pushes something through, Minneapolis voters have the final say.
• The fine print. Any stabilization policy will come with carveouts—maybe for small landlords, new construction, or big rehab projects.

As an investor, this election is about more than just politics—it’s about your bottom line. Pay attention. Elections matter.