Saint Paul Renters
deserve:
better options.
working homes.
timely repairs.
better options. working homes. timely repairs.
Safe Homes Saint Paul gives renters a tool to get timely, quality fixes for needed repairs in their homes.
No one wants to get stuck badgering their landlord about a simple repair or end up having to go to court over a broken outlet.
We just want to get it fixed and move on!
It’s common sense:
Renters should be able to make simple repairs after 14 days of inaction*, or hire someone qualified to do it for them.
*Meaning landlord does not at minimum schedule needed repairs within 14 days.
How It Works
1. Give your landlord notice:
Provide written notice to your landlord that you need the repair and you intend to deduct the cost from your rent if the repair is not scheduled or corrected within 14 days.
2. Get the repair done:
If your landlord hasn’t scheduled the repair within 14 days of written notice, you will be able to either perform the fix yourself for simple repairs that do not require a license, or hire a licensed professional to perform the work for them.
All repairs must be done in a workmanlike manner and by someone licensed to do the required work.
3. Deduct or get reimbursed:
Save your receipts.
Deduct the cost of repairs from next month’s rent - with receipts for service or materials submitted in writing to your landlord upon repair completion and before deducting the costs from your rent. Your landlord may also directly reimburse you for the cost of repairs.
Eligible repairs: The cost of the repair cannot exceed one half of a month’s rent or $500, whichever is greater.
Retaliation prohibited: Landlords may not retaliate against you for using Safe Homes Saint Paul.
What types of repairs are we talking about?
Commonsense repairs. These are commons issues that renters consistently report that they’re stuck seeing every day.
The below is not an exhaustive list, but will give you a good general idea!
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Pest Problems
Mice, bugs, etc.
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Leaky Plumbing
Constantly dripping taps, leaking plumbing - before it becomes a flood.
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Drafty or Cracked Windows
Driving up heating/cooling bills and making things uncomfortable.
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Broken Appliances
Appliances on the fritz that are part of your lease - and what you pay rent for.
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Broken Locks or Doorframes
Making you and your neighbors more vulnerable to security issues.
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Mold or Moisture Issues
Nipping these problems in the bud before they become larger safety hazards.
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Pre-existing or Growing Cracks
Your landlord promised to fix that hole before you moved in…6 months ago.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Our housing is old. The median age of residential units in St. Paul is 76 years old. Fifty-seven percent of our single-family, duplex, and triplexes were built before 1930. In face of housing shortage, we need to maintain the housing that St. Paul already has–and that means timely repairs!
Everyone deserves safe, quality housing. But right now, too many of us aren’t getting the repairs we need. We need tools to tackle small problems before they can become big ones. This is home maintenance 101. A small leak can become a hole in the ceiling – and then mold. We need to be able to nip these problems in the bud before they become safety hazards.
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Yes. It would apply to rental homes in Saint Paul, including apartments, duplexes, and single-family rentals regardless of ownership.
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Both. Safe Homes Saint Paul is especially helpful for the everyday problems that landlords often ignore, like broken cabinets, faulty heaters, damaged windows, or persistent plumbing issues, before they turn into major safety hazards.
Saint Paul and Minnesota State laws have existing protection for tenants regarding emergency repairs that put renters in immediate danger, ex: heat going out in the middle of winter. For non-emergency scenarios, the current systems in place can take months to resolve or require city intervention - we just want to get things fixed and move on. -
No. If a repair needs a licensed professional (like a plumber or electrician), tenants can hire one and then deduct the cost.
For simple work that doesn’t require a license (like installing a new doorknob), a tenant could choose to do it themselves — but they aren’t required to.
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No. Safe Homes Saint Paul doesn’t replace existing renter protections — it adds a tool to help renters get repairs done faster. Saint Paul has a long history of supporting renters’ rights. Safe Homes Saint Paul aims to give renters more autonomy and better living conditions through a route that doesn’t require city maintenance or response or add to taxpayer burden.
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Ready to dive into the details? Feel free to take a look at the full text of the ballot measure proposed.
Contact Us
Interested in working together? Questions or comments?