St. Paul voters approve right-to-repair law for renters

St. Paul voters have passed a ballot measure granting renters more authority to make home repairs if landlords do not respond promptly, MPR News reported.

The ordinance allows renters to receive a rent reduction or reimbursement for repair costs up to $500 or half their rent, whichever is greater, after providing landlords a two-week notice to address the issue.

Supporters, including Safe Homes St. Paul, noted that many renters have faced long waits for repairs ranging from accessibility modifications to garage door fixes.

The measure faced opposition from the City of St. Paul, which argued the language was too broad and might conflict with state laws, but courts allowed it to remain on the ballot.

Following the vote, the city stated it will review implementation steps and that the ordinance will take effect once certified, with no amendments allowed by the City Council for at least a year.