News

Rent Control Changes Coming Sooner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Alan Heymann
(202) 724-8031

July 12, 2006

Washington, DC – Sweeping changes to the District’s rent control law will now take effect August 4. The Council voted for this date unanimously yesterday because of a change in the Congressional schedule.

“Waiting for Congress would have pushed us into September,” said Councilmember Jim Graham, the rent control reform bill’s author. “We have many reports from tenants whose rents are going way up, right now. It’s time for the new law.”

Before most District legislation becomes law, Congress has 30 days to review it. Both the House and Senate must be in session during the review period. The rent control reform law, which Mayor Anthony Williams signed June 14, was due to become law August 4. But Congress added a day of recess to its calendar.

Yesterday’s emergency Council action restores the original August 4 effective date.

The reform bill, authored by Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One), is the most significant change to the District’s rent control laws in more than 20 years. It applies to an estimated 100,000 apartments in the city.

For the text of the rent control reform act, a detailed comparison of the new bill with the current law, and a statement of support from various tenant advocates, please visit our rent control page.

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