Rent Stabilization Appeals

Overview 

Rent Stabilization Appeal Hearings provide the forum for reviewing appeals of Department of Safety & Inspections (DSI) determinations on applications for an exception to the City's 3% rent increase cap. The hearing offers landlord, tenants, and other interested parties the opportunity to appeal and testify about the determination on these applications. The hearings are conducted by the Hearing Officer who makes a recommendation to the City Council. The Hearing Officer may recommend that the City Council reverse, approve, or approve in part, DSI's determination. Appellants not satisfied with the recommendation of the Hearing Officer also have the opportunity to be heard before the City Council if they wish to appeal further. 

Filing an Appeal of a Rent Stabilization Determination

Appeals must be filed no later than 45 days after the date of the Department of Safety & Inspection (DSI) determination on the application for an exception to the City's 3% rent increase cap. 

There are two ways to file an appeal:

• Appeal in-person: Fill out the appeal application form. Stop by the Front Desk and ask for the form to appeal. Our office is located at City Hall/Courthouse 15 Kellogg Blvd. West, Room 310, and is open Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.  A $25.00 filing fee payment is required with the appeal.  Check and cash are only accepted at this time.
• Appeal via email: Download the appeal form that applies to you from the table below.  Fill out the form and attach it to your email to rentappeals@ci.stpaul.mn.us, along with a copy of the order, and any evidence you would like the hearing officer to consider. A $25.00 filing fee payment must also be included and sent separately via U.S. mail (Check should be made to:  City of Saint Paul.).  Please mail it to:

Rent Stabilization Appeals
310 City Hall 15 Kellogg Blvd. West
Saint Paul, MN 55102

• Each unit appealing must submit a separate appeal form. 

Your Appeal Hearing Date

When you come in-person to fill out your appeal application form and pay the $25.00 filing fee, the date and time of the hearing will usually be set at that time. Mailed applications will be copied and returned to the appellant with the date and time clearly indicated on the form. Generally, appeal hearings are scheduled after the 45-day notice period and upon receipt of the appeal application and $25.00 filing fee. Hearings are scheduled during the week of the 2nd and 4th of the month.

What to Expect at the Hearing

For each appeal, City Staff will give a report and appellants will be given time to present information, testimony, or other documents. The Hearing Officer will consider these items into account to develop a recommendation for the City Council. The hearings are informal, but it is still expected that cell phones be turned off and both City staff and appellants will address one another respectfully. Please email rentappeals@ci.stpaul.mn.us or call 651-266-8585 or 651-266-8563 with questions about the application or appeal process. 

Reasonable Accommodation

• Language Interpretation Request 
  Language interpreters for languages other than English are available upon request at least 72 hours prior to the hearing date in order to participate in a Hearing. To request such an accommodation, please email rentappeals@ci.stpaul.mn.us or call 651-266-8585 or 651-266-8563 and specify the specific need.
   
• Americans With Disabilities Act Request
  Special assistance is available for disabled persons addressing hearing matters.  Efforts will be made to provide adaptations or accommodations based on individual needs of qualified individuals with disabilities, provided that notification of at least 72 hours prior to the hearing date has been received by the Hearing staff.  Please make your request by emailing rentappeals@ci.stpaul.mn.us or call 651-266-8585 or 651-266-8563 and specify the specific need.

Written Comments - If you are unable to attend the hearing after the hearing date has been scheduled, you may contact us for a hearing date change at least 5 days prior to the scheduled hearing.  You may also keep the hearing date and provide comment on the appeal by submitting your written comments to the Hearing staff by mail or e-mail.  Your voice mail message with your comment will be transcribed and attached to the public record.