Rent control is further weakened in St. Paul

The St. Paul City Council voted to permanently exempt buildings constructed since 2005 from rent control, allowing landlords to raise rents without restrictions. Mayor Melvin Carter endorsed this change, asserting it would facilitate the development of affordable housing. However, some council members expressed doubts regarding the effectiveness of lifting rent control in stimulating new construction, citing ongoing inflation and rising tariffs. Council Vice President HwaJeong Kim noted that tenants are at risk of being marginalized due to rising rents.

Currently, rent control limits increases to 3% annually for buildings from 2004 and earlier, a policy established through voter approval in 2021. Tenants like Peyton Nordby face significant rent hikes, with an 8% increase reported on his apartment. Nordby expressed stress over the financial burden and the difficulty of appealing the increase, given the extensive documentation provided by his landlord. The council's decision may exacerbate housing issues for low-income residents, as skepticism remains about the promised benefits of the exemption.