Renting And The Law: Best form of rent control? Good supply of properties

Q As a renter, I'm concerned about annual rent increases.

Is there a limit on annual increases? Is there a rent stabilization law in Minnesota? If such a law exists, how does it work?

A There is no law or city ordinance that places a limit on the amount a landlord can annually increase a tenant's rent.

However, with plenty of options out there for renters, landlords aren't in a position to raise rents too dramatically.

There is no rent stabilization law in Minnesota except in special circumstances, such as subsidized housing.

Q I rent a townhouse. The lease is up, but I continue to live here. Am I legally bound to the old lease? I have not signed any new agreements.

A Once your lease expires you are considered to be on a month-to-month lease, even though there is no document involved. So, you are not legally bound to your old lease unless there is a "rollover" provision in it.

This type of language means you are bound by the terms of your old lease, even though it expired.

Q My landlord wants us to pay to replace the wall-to-wall carpet in the office area of the first-floor apartment we rent in his duplex.

He says the carpet needs to be restretched.

The three-year-old carpet did not need stretching when we moved in and we are not sure if it was installed correctly or if the folds in the carpet that have appeared are simply the result of 18 months of normal use.

They want us to pay to replace the entire carpet even though there's nothing else wrong with it. No stains, no holes, nothing. Are we legally on the hook?

If you can show that the carpet was improperly installed, you will not be responsible for damages.