A St. Paul renter won an appeal after arguing poor apartment conditions did not justify a nearly 18% rent increase. At a July 15 St. Paul City Council meeting, Portland Avenue resident Michael Smith appealed his landlord’s request for a 17.97% rent increase because of poor maintenance. The landlord cited recent property tax increases for the higher rent, but the council upheld Smith’s appeal unanimously. Smith had his appeal hearing on May 21 and is one of only three rent stabilization appeals St. Paul has had all year, according to the city calendar. Mike Vraa, managing attorney with HOME Line, said the case is worth noting for St. Paul renters during Minnesota’s busiest moving season.