D.C Changes Landlord Tenant Laws.

April 22, 2025

Here's a more detailed look at the proposed changes:

Eviction Timeline:

The RENTAL Act proposes to streamline court processes and make eviction timelines consistent with pre-pandemic timelines and those of neighboring jurisdictions. This is intended to create a more fair and predictable eviction process.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP):

The proposed legislation aims to make permanent some of the changes made to ERAP during the pandemic, which removed automatic eviction delays for tenants applying for ERAP funding and gave judges more discretion in those cases.
Affordable Housing:

The RENTAL Act seeks to protect existing affordable housing and support the production of new affordable housing. This includes provisions to preserve existing affordable units, increase the Local Rent Supplement Program (LRSP), and ensure that the District's Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) supports more affordable housing investments.
Tenant Protections:

The legislation also aims to strengthen tenant safety protections and protect tenants' rights during evictions, especially when a building is being sold.
Impact on Affordable Housing Developers:

The Council's concern about unpaid rent and its impact on affordable housing developers led to the emergency adoption of the Emergency Rental Assistance Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 2024. This legislation, which is part of the broader Rental Act, aims to address the financial strain on developers due to unpaid rent and potential loss of affordable housing covenants.