St. Paul man appeals rent increase over poor conditions — and wins

A St. Paul renter won an appeal after arguing poor apartment conditions did not justify a nearly 18% rent increase.

At a July 15 St. Paul City Council meeting, Portland Avenue resident Michael Smith appealed his landlord’s request for a 17.97% rent increase because of poor maintenance. The landlord cited recent property tax increases for the higher rent, but the council upheld Smith’s appeal unanimously.

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“I understand that costs are up, but I can’t carry the burden of paying more for an apartment that doesn’t m...