Saint Paul, Minn., Legis. Code ch. 49 § 49.02
Residential premises; property owner's obligation for maintenance
Operative Text
(a) It is the obligation of the lessor to covenant to maintain leased residential premises in compliance with all applicable health and safety laws of the state and city during the term of the lease, except when the disrepair has been caused by the willful, malicious or irresponsible conduct of the lessee or a person under his direction and control. (b) No person shall let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit without first giving to the tenant or lessee written notice of who is responsible for paying bills for electricity, gas, water, hot water or steam, or solid or liquid fuel to be used by the tenant or lessee. (c) The owner or lessor shall be the bill payer or customer of the utility: (1) In the absence of a separate utility meter which accurately measures the amount, quantity or extent of electricity, gas, water, and hot water or steam consumed on the premises leased by the tenants or lessee; or (2) In the absence of a separate solid or liquid fuel heating system for the premises leased by the tenants or lessee. (d) The provisions of this section may not be waived by contract or otherwise.
Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 49 § 49.02 establishes that landlords have a standing obligation to keep rented residential properties in compliance with all applicable state and city health and safety laws throughout the duration of a lease. An exception exists when damage or disrepair results from the willful, malicious, or irresponsible conduct of the tenant or someone acting under the tenant's direction. The provision also requires that tenants receive written notice before move-in identifying who is responsible for paying each utility bill, and it designates the owner or lessor as the default bill payer whenever a separate utility meter or separate fuel heating system does not exist for the leased premises. These protections cannot be signed away through a lease clause or any other agreement.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 49 § 49.02, compliant property owners generally ensure that every residential unit meets applicable health and safety standards at all times during a tenancy, not just at move-in. Before a new occupancy begins, operators typically provide written notice specifying which party—landlord or tenant—is responsible for each utility (electricity, gas, water, hot water or steam, and solid or liquid fuel). Where a leased unit lacks its own separate utility meter or a dedicated fuel heating system, the owner is designated by § 49.02(c) as the responsible bill payer for those services, regardless of what a lease may say to the contrary.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 49 § 49.02 gives tenants the right to occupy premises that are maintained in compliance with health and safety laws for the entire lease term, and to receive written utility-responsibility disclosures before moving in. Because § 49.02(d) explicitly prohibits waiving these protections by contract, a lease clause purporting to shift these obligations away from the landlord is generally unenforceable. Tenants who believe a landlord is not meeting these obligations may consider documenting conditions, contacting Saint Paul's city housing or code enforcement offices, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for information about available remedies.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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