St Paul Tenant Screening

Tenant Screening in St Paul, MN…

Finding the right tenant in St. Paul starts with RealSerious.com, where landlords can access reliable credit reports, and multi-state criminal records—all while ensuring compliance with screening regulations.

No monthly fees – pay as you go.

Covering St. Paul’s Neighborhoods

From the heart of downtown to the quieter suburban areas, landlords in St. Paul can benefit from thorough tenant screening services. Here are some of the most sought-after rental areas in the city:

Highlighted Areas & Communities

Lowertown – A lively area filled with loft apartments, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Macalester-Groveland – Popular among students and professionals for its historic homes and community feel.

Summit Hill – A well-known neighborhood with classic Victorian-style homes and high rental demand.

Highland Park – A scenic residential area with parks, schools, and a variety of rental properties.

Frogtown – Offers affordable rental options and a growing tenant population.

West 7th – A mix of modern and historic rental properties near the Mississippi River.

*DISCLAIMER: No tenant criminal background check is 100% complete. Coverage for our standard tenant screening report may vary due to (1) jurisdictions limiting what records are eligible to return and (2) TransUnion and/or its partners limiting records that do not meet their data quality standards. Learn more about tenant criminal records.

St. Paul Tenant Screening FAQs

If you have additional questions, contact us. However, we cannot provide legal advice. For specific inquiries about Minnesota landlord-tenant laws, consult a local attorney or legal resource.

Can landlords in St. Paul charge an application fee?

St. Paul landlords can charge an application fee, but it must be reasonable and used for the cost of screening. Minnesota law requires landlords to provide a written explanation if they deny an applicant based on screening results.

Are there restrictions on criminal background checks in St. Paul?

In Saint Paul, tenant screening practices are governed by Section 193.04 of Ordinance 20-14, effective March 1, 2021. This ordinance establishes specific guidelines on how landlords can use criminal history when evaluating prospective tenants. According to the ordinance, landlords are prohibited from disqualifying applicants based on certain aspects of their criminal history, including:

• Arrests or charges that did not result in a conviction.
• Participation in or completion of diversion or deferral programs.
• Convictions that have been vacated or expunged.
• Convictions for offenses that are no longer illegal in Minnesota.
• Convictions or adjudications in the juvenile justice system.
• Petty misdemeanors.
• Misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor convictions older than three years from the sentencing date.
• Felony convictions older than seven years from the sentencing date, with specific exceptions.

Exceptions to the seven-year rule include convictions for offenses such as murder, kidnapping, arson, robbery, manslaughter, and criminal sexual conduct, for which landlords may consider convictions up to ten years old. Additionally, landlords may deny applicants who have been convicted of the illegal manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act or those subject to a lifetime sex offender registration requirement.

St. Paul Landlord Resources

For statewide information, visit the Minnesota tenant screening page.

Ramsey County Housing Court

15 W Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55102

https://www.mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Landlords.aspx

Handles eviction filings, lease disputes, and rental legal matters.

Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®

https://spaar.com

Offers landlord education, legal updates, and real estate resources.

City of St. Paul Code Enforcement

Phone: 651-266-8989

https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections

Enforces housing regulations to ensure compliance with rental property standards.