Last year, St. Paul voters passed the strongest rent control ordinance in the country hoping that it would help curb rising rent prices. Naturally landlords hate it and are now being accused of finding dubious ways around the law. As if we didn’t need enough reasons to despise them, right?
Here’s Five Fast Facts about St. Paul’s Rent Control Violations:
- 🧊Freeze! - Passed in 2021, the ordinance limits rent increases to 3% in any 12-month period. And that includes when tenants move out. It identifies that 3% as a “reasonable return on investment.”
- 🏠Big Bucks - More than half of the population of St. Paul rent and advocates say rising prices lead to abnormally-large displacement.
- 🏚️Trust the Process - Before you start feeling sorry for Mr. Heckles (or Mr. Roper), there is a process in place for property owners to request an exception based on that exact same reasonable return using seven factors, including property tax changes.
- 🔌Very Sneaky - Some tenants are saying they are now being charged for utilities that were once included in their rent that can result in an increase as high as 10%. The ordinance doesn’t say ANYTHING about utilities, right?
- ⚖️Too Bad, Suckers! - Senate Republicans have already moved to undo the voter-chosen ban, saying it violates the rental companies’ property rights and prevents new affordable housing from being built because there’s less incentive to break ground on new projects if folks can’t make money.
🔥Bottom line: Rental companies already have a bad name and dirty tricks like this don’t help change anything. This entire scenario shows that voting does indeed work, but you need to vote on every level to make sure your interests are protected. Also, make sure you’re always responsible for your utilities.
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