Sonic_Snail t1_ja98621 wrote on February 27, 2023 at 7:51 PM

Reply to comment by 22304_selling in D.C. Tenants in Rent-Controlled Units Could See as Much as 8.9 Percent Increases by rennbrig

The rent control law was pasted in 1985 and they chose buildings currently 10 years or older. Why 10 years exactly? Who knows? Probably just a nice round number. And it doesn’t apply to new buildings for the reasons mentioned elsewhere but mostly to encourage new construction

pgm123 t1_ja9ebof wrote on February 27, 2023 at 8:30 PM

I think it would be nice to gradually expand that date, at least on an experimental basis. Maybe set it at 35 years or something.

ShimbyHimbo t1_jaapz1q wrote on February 28, 2023 at 1:55 AM

35 years just means that rent stabilization only applies to older, likely outdated and lower quality units.

pgm123 t1_jaas277 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 2:10 AM

It currently only applies to units built before 1976.

ShimbyHimbo t1_jaatffj wrote on February 28, 2023 at 2:20 AM

Yes, which many in this thread believe isn't enough. 35 years would only add 12 years of units with the newest being in the late 80s. Every year, it would add a year more of units, but I would have to look at building permits issued by year to determine if that's even a significant number of units.

pgm123 t1_jaau3hs wrote on February 28, 2023 at 2:25 AM

I'm advocating for something based on the age of the unit instead of a hard date. 35 years is a suggestion to not be too disruptive when experimenting.

ShimbyHimbo t1_jaaudvr wrote on February 28, 2023 at 2:27 AM

I understand what you're arguing, but 35 years is more generous than similar laws around the country, which typically use 15-20 years.

pgm123 t1_jaauhy3 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 2:28 AM

Sure. Whatever. I wasn't married to 35 years. I was advocating changing from 1975.