Montgomery County will have permanent rent stabilization.
After hours of discussion Tuesday, legislation to limit rent increases passed 7-4 in county council. Annual rent increases will be limited to 3% plus inflation, to be capped at 6%.
Those who voted in favor were Councilmembers Natali Fani-González, Will Jawando, Sidney Katz, Kristin Mink, Laurie-Anne Sayles, Kate Stewart and Council President Evan Glass.
Voting against the bill were Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz, Marilyn Balcombe, Dawn Luedtke and Council Vice President Andrew Friedson.
The legislation will go into effect in 91 days and will be enforceable after Department of Housing and Community Affairs regulations are approved.
There are specific exemptions under the bill. A council committee moved forward with the one amended Bill 15-23 after competing bills were introduced in March.
Some other leaders within the county had previously expressed concerns about the bill, to include leaders of the cities of Gaithersburg and Rockville, who shared their concerns about “unintended consequences.”
To help readers understand the issues, MCM shared perspectives from two local officials — Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman and Renters Alliance Executive Director Matt Losak — with opposing points of view.
Ahead of the vote, MCM spoke with advocates for the bill on Tuesday.
