Stalemate continues in rental inspection case

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A legal battle over Red Wing's rental inspection code remains in stalemate, despite a recent court ruling.

First District Court Judge Robert King, issued a ruling last week after presiding over a hearing on the matter in June. King's ruling, the fourth one made on this case, is similar to those that have come before it, in that it gives neither side a total victory and invites more litigation.

During the June hearing the city requested warrants that would have allowed city inspectors to search the property of landlords and tenants who've refused to cooperate with the city's four-year old rental inspection program.

Meanwhile a group of landlords challenging the inspection program -- and the public interest law firm representing them, the Institute for Justice -- asked King to strike down Red Wing's rental code, arguing it is unconstitutional.

King denied Red Wing's warrant request, but also denied the landlords' right to challenge the code's constitutionality, leaving the legal battle in gridlock.

Pick up Wednesday's print edition for the full story, which includes what could like ahead in the rental code saga.

Tags: local news, crime and courts, rental inspections, local government, red wing, news