Saint Paul council lays over cluster of Ashland Avenue rent‑stabilization appeals after residents cite habitability problems

The Saint Paul City Council on Wednesday agreed to lay over eight related rent‑stabilization appeals tied to three buildings on Ashland Avenue until Sept. 17 after tenants and their attorneys said the apartments still show habitability problems and after staff and the landlord described recent repairs.

Housing Justice Center attorney Abby Hansen told the council that the rent increases under appeal included a 28% increase for some units and that tenants had documented mold, broken windows, holes in floors and foundation cracks. "The rent increase here is 28%," Hansen said, adding that residents had submitted photos, videos and declarations and that many of the alleged problems “are still present.”

The Housing and Redevelopment Authority and city staff had previously reviewed applications from the building owner asking to exceed Saint Paul’s 3% annual cap on rent increases; Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) staff recommended allowing exceptions based on the owner’s submitted operating‑cost and tax increases. Tenants appealed those determinations under the city’s rent‑stabilization ordinance, citing habitability and substantial deterioration provisions in the law.

City legislative hearing officer Marsha Mormont summarized the record for the council and said inspectors relied in part on fire certificate of occupancy ratings already on file for the buildings (one A rating, one B and one C). Mormont noted that staff had not re‑inspected some buildings on the regular cycle because of staffing limits and that after…