FOR RESIDENTS
- Balcony & deck cooking prohibited
- Building alarm is sounding
- Building problems
- Building security
- Crime prevention
- Electrical outage
- First Time Homebuyer Program
- HOME Line
- In your best interest
- Keeping informed
- Maintaining tenancy
- Smoke detector is sounding
- Smoking
Balcony & deck cooking prohibited
Because of the fire hazard to a large number of people, it's illegal to use any open flame rotisserie, barbecue or other cooking device on decks, patios and balconies of multi-family buildings that are two stories or higher. Candles are also prohibited.
Grills may be used on the lawn as long as the barbecue is at least 15 feet away from buildings and other combustible materials.
If the building alarm is sounding
Immediately leave the building using the hallways or stairways. Don't use the elevator.
If hallways are filled with thick smoke or your physical condition makes it impossible to use the stairs, return to your apartment and close the door. Call 911 immediately, and give the dispatcher your name, apartment number and situation. Open a window or go out on the balcony and wait for help.
Building problems
The City of St. Louis Park licenses all multi-family buildings. The Inspections Department inspects apartment buildings on a regular basis for compliance with fire and property maintenance codes.
All building problems should first be brought to the attention of the building caretaker or manager.
If you've alerted the building caretaker but the problem has not been corrected, you may call the Inspections Department at (952) 924-2682 about health, safety and property maintenance concerns such as
- broken windows
- insect infestation
- electrical problems
- inoperable smoke detectors
- burnt out hallway lights
- loose handrails
- lack of heat or water.
Building security
Here are a few tips for apartment dwellers from the St. Louis Park Police Department
- If you live in a controlled access entry building, don't buzz in anyone you don't know.
- Always lock sliding glass doors: even if your apartment is above the first floor. Criminals can scale buildings and enter apartments via balconies.
- Always lock your apartment door and take your key: even when you're just going to get the mail or run an errand in the building.
- Mark your belongings with Operation ID.
For more information, call (952) 924-2661.
Crime prevention
For building owners and managers -
St. Louis Park's Crime Free Multi-Housing Program trains rental property owners and managers on steps they can take to lessen the likelihood of criminal activities occurring in apartment buildings. Apartment owners and managers meet on the third Thursday of each month at noon in City Hall. For details, call 952/924-2661. Meeting topics are posted in What's New > Meetings.
For residents -
The Police Services Liaison is also available to talk to apartment residents about personal safety measures or organizing a Neighborhood Watch program. Renters may mark and register their belongings through Operation ID. For more information, call the Police Services Liaison at (952) 924-2661.
Electrical outage
If storms knock out your power, call Excel/NSP's Lights Out number at 1-800-895-1999 from your apartment or business phone. This automated system will match your address and add you to NSP's list of repair jobs.
Saving for a home? First Time Homebuyer Program
If you gross household income (one person) is $62,000 or less you may qualify for the 1st Time Homebuyer Program with the state of MN, which offers below market mortgage rates, down payment and closing cost assistance. For more information about qualifying for the program, registering for the homebuyer training workshop and a list of participating lenders go the state's website: www.mhfa.state.mn.us, click on Single Family Homes/First time Homebuyer Loans.
HOME Line
Tenants can call the HOME Line to get information on leases, getting security deposits back, dealing with repair problems or eviction, or other renter-related questions.
- (612) 728-5767
In your best interest
Some common regrets could be avoided, if you
- Read your lease: Every lease is different. Leases state how to get your security deposit back, how much notice (typically 30 to 90 days) is required before leaving, building rules, times of the day you may move in or out, whether pets are allowed, etc. Don't make a wrong assumption-know what's in your lease.
- Pay your rent on time: To protect your credit rating and ability to rent another apartment, make sure you pay your rent on time. Late payments show up on background checks and make it very difficult to rent elsewhere.
- Buy renter's insurance: Without renter's insurance, you may not be covered for personal injury, injury to your guests, or loss or damage to personal belongings.
Keeping informed
You needn't have children in school nor be a homeowner to take advantage of services offered by the City of St. Louis Park and the St. Louis Park School District. Community news, upcoming events and information about community education classes and recreation opportunities are included in the Park Perspective newsletter and Community Education bulletin.
Because these publications are addressed to "postal customer," these materials are sometimes left in apartment entry ways. If you aren't receiving these publications and would like to, please call (952) 924-2521.
Maintaining tenancy
Free monthly workshops offering budget counseling and tips on apartment maintenance, energy conservation and avoiding eviction are offered by the St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP), Community Education and the St. Louis Park Family Services Collaborative. For more information, call (952) 925-4899.
If your smoke detector is sounding
Stay calm and assess the situation.
If you smell smoke or see flames or smoke, leave your apartment immediately! Be sure to shut the room door and the apartment door on your way out. Pull the fire alarm on your way out, and call 911 from a neighbor's phone. The safest place to wait is outside the building.
If your burnt toast or oven broiler is causing the detector to sound, but there's no fire, don't open your hallway apartment door to clear the smoke from your unit. Opening the door may activate the entire building's fire alarm system. Instead, open a window and turn on the exhaust fan to clear out any smoke.
If your apartment smoke detector is sounding but you don't see or smell smoke, it may be a false alarm. Try fanning air across the detector with a piece of paper, opening a window or running the exhaust fan. Report the false alarm to the owner or caretaker and request a replacement smoke detector.
Smoking
Minnesota statues prohibit smoking in all common areas.
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