News

Council Passes Rent Control Reform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Alan Heymann
(202) 724-8031

May 2, 2006

Washington, DC – The DC Council unanimously passed on first reading the most significant reform of the District’s rent control laws in more than 20 years. The final vote on this measure will occur in June.

“Affordable rentals are vanishing in our city, especially in areas where real estate prices are soaring,” said Councilmember Graham. “We’ve seen the $1,800 a month ‘rent-controlled’ one-bedroom apartment – that’s a clear need for the reforms we passed today.”

The bill is a consensus measure reached during negotiations that began last November. Ten separate negotiating sessions were convened, with tenant groups, housing providers, and the Mayor’s administration.

“The tenants have won a major victory here,” said Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One), the author of the legislation. “Strengthening rent control is the best way to protect affordable housing – and we’ve done it.”

The reform bill will mean lower and less frequent rent increases on occupied and vacant apartments. Rent ceilings are abolished, but the elderly and disabled are protected.

Here is a detailed comparison of the reforms considered today with the current law.

View the bill online.

The legislation, originally introduced as B16-457, passed as an amendment to B16-109. The amendment was co-introduced by all five members of the Committee on Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, chaired by Councilmember Graham. It affects an estimated 100,000 apartments in District buildings constructed before 1975.

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