Sara T. Nguyen · April 22, 2026 · 7 min read
Saint Paul has been at the forefront of tenant protection in Minnesota, enacting a series of ordinances and policies over the past several years that expand renter rights beyond what state law requires. If you rent in Saint Paul — or are considering it — here's a summary of the key protections in effect in 2026.
The SAFE Housing Ordinance
Saint Paul's SAFE Housing Tenant Protection Ordinance (Ord. 18-39, as amended) is one of the most tenant-protective local laws in the Upper Midwest. Key provisions include:
- Just-cause eviction. Landlords cannot terminate a month-to-month tenancy or refuse to renew a lease without a legally recognized reason (nonpayment of rent, lease violation, owner move-in, building demolition, etc.). This is a significant departure from traditional Minnesota law, which generally allows landlords to end month-to-month tenancies with proper notice and no stated reason.
- Prepaid rent limitations. Landlords cannot require more than one month's rent in advance at the time of lease signing.
- Notice periods. Landlords must provide written notice stating the specific reason for non-renewal or termination.
Security Deposits
Minnesota state law (Minn. Stat. § 504B.178) governs security deposits, but Saint Paul tenants should be aware of several important rules:
- Landlords must return the deposit (or provide an itemized statement of deductions) within 21 days after the tenant vacates and provides a forwarding address.
- Deposits may not exceed one month's rent for unfurnished units (no separate "pet deposits" or "cleaning deposits" beyond this amount).
- If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the required statement within 21 days, the tenant may be entitled to the full deposit plus a penalty of up to $500 in conciliation court.
- Landlords must pay 1% annual interest on security deposits held for 12 months or longer, deposited into a Minnesota financial institution.
Rent Stabilization
In November 2021, Saint Paul voters approved a rent stabilization (rent control) ordinance capping annual rent increases at 3% per year. However, the City Council subsequently adopted implementation rules that include notable exceptions:
- New construction exemption: Buildings constructed after the ordinance's effective date are exempt for 20 years.
- Vacancy adjustment: Landlords may reset rent to market rate between tenancies (upon vacancy).
- Hardship exemptions: Landlords experiencing financial hardship may apply for increases above 3%.
- Capital improvement pass-through: Costs of qualifying capital improvements may be passed through to tenants, subject to approval.
Enforcement is handled by the City's Department of Safety and Inspections. Tenants who believe they've been subjected to an unlawful rent increase can file a complaint.
Tenant Screening and Application Fees
Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. § 504B.173) places limits on tenant screening:
- Landlords may charge a screening fee, but it cannot exceed the actual cost of the screening.
- Landlords must provide the prospective tenant with the screening criteria in writing before accepting an application fee.
- If the landlord knows at the time of application that no units will be available, the screening fee must be returned.
Repair and Habitability
Under Minnesota law, landlords have a duty to maintain rental premises in reasonable repair and in compliance with health and housing codes. Saint Paul tenants have several remedies when landlords fail to maintain the property:
- Rent escrow: Tenants may petition the court to deposit rent into escrow until the landlord makes necessary repairs (Minn. Stat. § 504B.385).
- City inspections: Tenants can request a code inspection from Saint Paul's Department of Safety and Inspections. Landlords who fail to correct cited violations face fines and potential license revocation.
- Tenant remedies action: Tenants may sue for damages, rent reduction, and other relief under the tenant remedies statute (Minn. Stat. § 504B.395).
- Retaliation protections: It is illegal for a landlord to retaliate (raise rent, reduce services, threaten eviction) against a tenant who reports code violations or exercises any legal right.
Eviction Process
If a landlord seeks to evict a tenant in Saint Paul, they must follow Minnesota's eviction (unlawful detainer) process:
- Written notice. The landlord must serve the required notice (14 days for nonpayment of rent; notice period varies for other grounds).
- Court filing. If the tenant does not comply, the landlord files an eviction action in Ramsey County District Court.
- Hearing. The court schedules a hearing, typically within 7–14 days.
- Judgment. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, the tenant may be given a brief period to vacate. The landlord cannot lock out the tenant without a court order — "self-help" evictions are illegal in Minnesota.
Expungement: Minnesota law allows tenants to petition for expungement of eviction records in certain circumstances, which can be critical for future housing applications.
Know Your Rights
Tenant-landlord law involves an intersection of state statute, local ordinance, and lease terms. If you're facing an eviction, a habitability issue, or a deposit dispute, it's worth understanding your specific rights before taking action.
At Aldercrest Law, we handle landlord-tenant matters as part of our real estate practice. If you're a Saint Paul renter and have questions about your rights, contact us for a free initial consultation.
This article provides general information about Saint Paul tenant protections as of early 2026. Ordinances and enforcement practices may change. This article is not legal advice. Consult with an attorney about your specific situation.
About the author: Sara T. Nguyen is an associate attorney at Aldercrest Law focusing on family law and civil litigation, including landlord-tenant disputes. She can be reached at snguyen@aldercrestlaw.com.