St. Paul’s “Tenant Right to Repair” Ballot Measure: What Housing Providers Need to Know Before November

With all the national headlines, it’s easy to lose track of local issues that will be on the ballot in November. This is especially true of St Paul’s proposed “Tenant Right to Repair” Ordinance.

If passed by voters, the initiative would allow tenants to make certain repairs themselves, then deduct the cost from the rent when housing providers fail to make proper repairs within 14 days of being properly notified to complete qualifying repairs.

Tenants would be able to deduct the cost of the repairs, equal up to half a month’s rent or $500, whichever is greater, to hire a licensed professional to complete the repair. In other words, they can’t just fix it themselves and bill the housing provider for the repair.

The proposal was modeled after a similar ordinance Duluth voters passed last fall. There, tenants can make repairs like fixing a broken faucet or dishwasher.

Like rent control, this measure was put on the ballot through citizen petition, not something the city council created.  In fact, the city council voted 5-2 against keeping the proposal on the ballot. City attorney Irene Kao warned the ordinance is potentially too broad, potentially unconstitutional and may conflict with state law.

The organization behind the ballot initiative, Safe Homes Saint Paul, sued to force it onto the ballot.  Both a Ramsey County judge and the Minnesota Supreme Court supported their claim and as of now, the measure is locked in to appear on the November general election ballot.

If you’re a St Paul housing provider, it’s important to remember that the rent control ordinance was also put on the ballot by petition. The only people paying attention were the tenants, so it passed.

Vote in November. It matters.