St. Paul Right to Repair Passed: What Duplex Owners Must Know
Lost in the noise of the election’s blue wave Tuesday night was the passage of St Paul’s “right to repair” ordinance.
The measure allows tenants to deduct repair costs from their rent if landlords do not respond to the issue within 14 days. The cost for the repair cannot exceed $500 or half of the resident’s monthly rent, whichever is greater.
Tenants must give their landlord written notice detailing the repair and that they intend to have it addressed and deduct its cost if no action is taken. From the date of receipt, landlords have 14 days to either have the repair completed or scheduled. Tenants will be allowed to make simple repairs themselves. However, more difficult or technical repairs must be completed by licensed contractors.
Mandatory repairs include:
- Plumbing: Leaky faucets, running toilets, or minor pipe leaks.
- Heating and Cooling: Broken air conditioning units or heating maintenance.
- Appliances: Repairs for broken or malfunctioning appliances provided as part of the lease (e.g., stove, refrigerator).
- Pest Control: Extermination for mice, bugs, and other unwanted pests.
- Windows and Doors: Drafty or cracked windows, broken locks, or damaged door frames that affect security.
- Safety & Security: Smoke alarms and other basic safety devices.
- Moisture/Mold & Structural/Cosmetic Issues: Mold, moisture problems, or minor structural/cosmetic fixes.
Of course, seasoned housing providers can immediately see all kinds of issues with this. For example, even a regular pest control regimen may fail to stop the annual fall invasion of Asian beetles.
This ballot measure went all the way to the Minnesota Supreme Court, which allowed it to remain on the ballot. Eight-percent of voters approved the measure.