Montgomery County, D.C., and Prince George’s County have taken steps to address the issue of rapidly rising rental prices in the region. In July, the Montgomery County Council approved a permanent 6 percent rent cap after intense discussions that lasted for eight hours. Around 35 percent of the county’s population are renters, with approximately 60 percent of them being Black renters. The legislation is seen as a compromise between Council members Natali Fani-Gonzalez and Will Jawando, who initially proposed a rent cap of 3 percent. Jawando called the bill’s passage a victory for tenants and landlords alike.
Meanwhile, the District of Columbia City Council has also passed new temporary rent control guidelines to alleviate the burdens faced by renters in the city. The emergency legislation will be effective for two years and limits rent increases to 6 percent for rent stabilized apartments and most multi-family units built before 1976. Senior residents will have rent prices capped at 4 percent this year and a total of 8 percent over the next two years. The previous rent cap for seniors was 8.9 percent annually. Although the legislation passed unanimously, some raised concerns about the potential negative impact on property owners and the quality of housing.
In Prince George’s County, rent increase restrictions are also in place but are temporary. The Rent Stabilization Act of 2023 limits rent increases to 3 percent for a 12-month period. The County Council enacted this legislation earlier this year in response to skyrocketing rent prices, leading to a surge in eviction notifications during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill’s lead sponsor, Council member Krystal Oraiadha, expressed disappointment with landlords who took advantage of vulnerable renters. To prevent further exploitation, emergency legislation was passed before the Rent Stabilization Act came into effect, prohibiting landlords from retaliating against tenants.
These rent cap measures aim to address the affordability crisis faced by renters in the region. Critics argue that they may disincentivize property owners from investing in their properties, potentially affecting housing quality. Nevertheless, supporters believe that such legislation is necessary to protect tenants from unjust rent increases. The rent cap in Prince George’s County will remain in place until April 26, 2024. Renters who believe they are being treated unfairly or landlords who have not complied with the legislation can file complaints with the county’s office of Printing, Inspections, and Enforcement.
By implementing these rent cap measures, Montgomery County, D.C., and Prince George’s County are taking steps to stabilize rising rental prices and alleviate the financial burdens faced by many renters in the region. It remains to be seen how effective these measures will be in ensuring affordability and maintaining the quality of housing.
