PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — Prince George's County Council unanimously approved a rent increase cap, becoming the second county in Maryland to approve rent stabilization legislation.
The bill establishes a 3% cap plus inflation, or 6%, whichever is lower. However, buildings constructed after 2000 would be exempt.
District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha, who led the rent stabilization effort, said it is a huge step in the right direction.
"We started with a lot of my colleagues not being in support of permanent rent stabilization," she told WUSA9.
Oriadha says that among the victories is an amendment in the legislation that establishes that senior living facilities will have a lower cap of 4.5%
"Getting the amendment for the senior protection at the lower rate was a huge amendment that we got into the bill. What we weren't to address was price gouging for everyone that is not protecting. So I am moving forward with legislation next session," she said.
According to Oriadha, an estimated 40,000 tenants in the county will not be protected by the bill, primarily because they live in newer buildings.
District 8 Council Member Edward Burroughs says he is concerned the bill is leaving out some of the most vulnerable in the county.
"We have senior citizens who are literally deciding between food, prescription drugs, and basic necessities. So the fact that this bill leaves out thousands, tens of thousands of seniors is unacceptable," Burroughs said.
Legislation CB-055-2024 prevents landlords from sharply increasing rents when a unit becomes vacant and also prohibits new fees that were not previously included in a rental contract.
Exempt from the cap are landlords who rent out fewer than five units and homeowners living in the house and renting out part of their home.
In a statement, the advocate group CASA said, "Fifty-two percent of county residents pay more than 30% of their income on rent, making approximately approaching 65,000 households rent-burdened."
Neighboring Montgomery County is poised to implement its rent stabilization policy with the same cap limits.
“Renters often face the impossible choice between paying for housing and other basic necessities. When landlords raise the rent exorbitantly, tenants are forced to leave their homes. Kids are forced to leave their schools for a new school. Parents are forced to find new jobs or commute tremendous distances to get to their existing job," Maryland CASA organizer Alex Vazquez said in a statement.
The legislation awaits final approval by County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.