Duluth Right to Repair Hosts Labor Rally

DULUTH, Minn. — Local labor unions stepped out in support of tenants and the “Duluth Right to Repair” initiative that’s on the Nov. Ballot.

The ‘Duluth Right to Repair’ gives renters a tool to get timely fixes for common repairs such as bathroom fans, leaks, cabinet doors, and appliances. The cost of the repair would not exceed $500, and then that cost would be reimbursed by the landlord.

“About 40% of Duluth rents, and housing stock in Duluth is already two and a half times as old as like the national average,” said Nick Demaioribus, Duluth tenant. “There’s already a lot of need for maintenance with these buildings to begin with, and so that’s a lot of maintenance that needs to happen, and we need to make it so that no matter who you rent from, you will always have basic, small repairs done quickly.”

On the flip side, some landlords share concerns over liability and what might happen to their property if repairs are done incorrectly.