Williams Signs New Rent Control Law

D.C. Mayor Anthony A. Williams today signed into law the first major revision of the city's rent control law in more than 20 years.

The new law, a hard-fought compromise between landlords and tenants, would abolish the city's antiquated system of rent ceilings and replace it with legal restrictions that limit future rent increases to 2 percent of current rent plus inflation, or no more than 10 percent a year.

The measure contains new protections for the elderly and disabled, limiting their rent increases to inflation only, or no more than 5 percent a year. And it would limit one-time rent increases on vacant units to 30 percent.

"We have arrived at a rent control reform package that is easy to administer and understand, that protects tenants from abuse . . . [and] will have a profound impact on thousands of District residents," Williams (D) said before signing the legislation in his ceremonial office at the John A. Wilson Building.