Federal Judge in Minnesota Halts Implementation of New Renter Protection Law

According to press reports, a federal judge in Minnesota has sided with landlords and stopped the City of St Paul from enforcing a new renter protection law he says is likely unconstitutional. The judge granted an injunction against the City of St. Paul while a lawsuit filed by a landlord group is pending. The landlords argue that the ordinance violates the 5th amendment. The new regulation limits the ability of landlords to consider evictions, credit histories, and criminal histories when screening applicants for housing.

The St. Paul law bears a striking resemblance to one enacted by the City of Portland in March of 2020. The Portland ordinances are also the subject of a lawsuit by Multifamily NW on the grounds that they violate the Oregon and U.S. Constitutions in multiple ways.