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NPRjunkieDC t1_j7bllx6 wrote

A studio is probably $1800-2000 in NW. A one bedroom $2400 and a 2 bedroom $3200.

Even a room with roommates will be $1000 or more

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iindsay t1_j7d1qku wrote

You can absolutely get a studio for less than $1800. It may not have the nicest amenities, but units in older buildings or basement apartments can be had for $1400ish. Also there are other places than NW.

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NPRjunkieDC t1_j7d2nzy wrote

I only know prices for NW . I had a 4br 3 baths condo . Rooms 1450 each and master 1650. So a studio for that price ?

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iindsay t1_j7d2yyi wrote

I rented in a 5br/2ba for $4650 in ward 3 for a while. There absolutely are studios in rent controlled buildings in the $1300-1400 range.

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NPRjunkieDC t1_j7d3ge9 wrote

Very few rent controlled in NW I think

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iindsay t1_j7d3i0h wrote

Incorrect.

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NPRjunkieDC t1_j7d3q2g wrote

This company has about 4 in NW and about 30 or more NE/SE

https://wcsmith.com/wc-smith-rent-control-apartment-communities/

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iindsay t1_j7d4s2d wrote

Yes, that’s one company. But this argument is dumb. Point is OP can find something for less than $1800 if they are willing to give up certain amenities like in-unit laundry or a dishwasher.

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OcelotControl78 t1_j7ebsdx wrote

Any building built before 1975 can be a rent controlled building if all the other statutory requirements are met. Most of the apartment buildings built in upper Caucasia, upper GA Ave, 16th st, etc. were built before 1975.

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NPRjunkieDC t1_j7ecf6r wrote

But, being under rent control still allows landlords to increase the rent so they are at market level or close .

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OcelotControl78 t1_j7h1sru wrote

no, it doesn't.

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NPRjunkieDC t1_j7hcwrf wrote

5 + 10% are huge increases Landlords are guaranteed a certain return which is over 12% think . HUGE PROFIT

Landlords may only raise the rent by the amount specified by the DCRA each year, which is based on the Consumer Price Index. Increases in rent-controlled apartments cannot exceed 10 percent. For tenants who are elderly or disabled, allowable increases are more limited and cannot exceed 5 percent.

If a unit becomes vacant, the law does allow property owners to raise the rent on rent-controlled units, even if the last increase was less than one year ago. The owner may then increase the rent by 10 percent or up to 30 percent to match the rent of a comparable unit. But then no other increases are allowed for a full year.

https://gordonjamesrealty.com/resource/raising-the-rent-in-washington-dc/

DC has rent control, but if landlords aren’t making a 12% profit they can file a hardship petition and raise rent

https://ggwash.org/view/43149/dc-has-rent-control-but-if-landlords-arent-making-a-12-profit-they-can-file-a-hardship-petition-and-raise-rent

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OcelotControl78 t1_j7j8tqk wrote

10% max compared to the rate at non rent controlled appts, which is anything the landlord wants to charge. My rent controlled apt rose at about 4-5% a year. At the time non-rent controlled appts were raising 20-40%. Once rent freezes stopped after the shutdown some people were seeing increases above 40%. Rent control keeps rents to a manageable level & maintains affordable housing stock.

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NPRjunkieDC t1_j7j9175 wrote

Good for you .

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OcelotControl78 t1_j7rxar2 wrote

Welp, if you actually understood how rent control works you, too, could take advantage of it. Just a suggestion.

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IDKJA t1_j7g7lh8 wrote

Not quite. I live in a studio in NW for $1350 that I found on Craigslist during the winter - it's a tiny illegal basement unit, but it's clean, safe, has a good kitchen, and would be a legal unit if it just didn't have a short ceiling. Landlord is great; can't complain.

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NPRjunkieDC t1_j7g7ub4 wrote

You just said it's not legal, so cheaper . No back exit?

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IDKJA t1_j7hgcya wrote

Front and back exits, locking storage room for my bike, working carbon monoxide and fire detectors, sweet farmhouse sink, shared laundry with the tenants upstairs, patio out back where I can grow things...

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eruris t1_j7hka7o wrote

i live in a rent-controlled studio apartment with laundry in the basement in cathedral heights for $1350/mo (including $30 pet rent), 1.8k as a 'base' for a decent studio is ridiculous.

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NPRjunkieDC t1_j7hqj9u wrote

Did you see my comment about my 4BR/3FB condo? Each bedroom was $1450, and Master bedroom was $1650

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eruris t1_j7hrptl wrote

cool, that's really expensive and in no way representative of the norm

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NPRjunkieDC t1_j7hrxym wrote

That was market price from 2011 for 10 years . Different groups of tenants and never empty

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eruris t1_j7htcls wrote

i'm sure most luxury apartments are seldom empty too. i don't doubt that your apartment was that expensive, and maybe rightfully so, but it likely was either in a particular area or with extra amenities (in-unit laundry, gym, pool, renovated appliances) that justified that price.

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