DCBIA Applauds Mayor Bowser’s RENTAL Act for a Stronger D.C. Housing Market 


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February 12, 2025

DCBIA Applauds Mayor Bowser’s RENTAL Act for a Stronger D.C. Housing Market 

The District of Columbia Building Industry Association (DCBIA) commends Mayor Muriel Bowser for introducing the Rebalancing Expectations for Neighbors, Tenants and Landlords (RENTAL) Act, an important and necessary step toward stabilizing DC’s housing market, ensuring continued investment, and preserving naturally affordable housing.

This comprehensive legislation streamlines processes while making permanent much-needed ERAP reforms, and modernizing the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) to ensure greater clarity, predictability, and efficiency. The RENTAL Act clarifies TOPA’s application, ensuring its original intent is upheld protecting tenants while removing unnecessary barriers to investment and promoting affordable housing preservation. This balanced approach strengthens DC’s built environment and economic future. The RENTAL Act benefits the community, housing providers, and investors by:

  • Protecting existing properties with covenanted affordability commitments for at least 20 years, reinforcing long-term housing stability.
  • Encouraging new housing production through reasonable exemptions for newly built and substantially improved properties 
  • Modernizing a 40-year-old law to better accommodate current capital flows, paving the way for a more dynamic and sustainable housing market.
  • Enhancing tenant transparency by requiring clear disclosure of TOPA exemptions in all leases.

“The RENTAL Act is a critical step toward stabilizing DC's housing market at a time when affordability and investment are both under significant pressure,” said Liz DeBarros, CEO of DCBIA. “This legislation not only upholds tenant protections but also fosters a much-needed private investment-friendly climate. We applaud Mayor Bowser’s leadership in advancing a thoughtful policy that reflects the urgent realities of our housing market and supports renters, housing providers, and DC’s economic future.”

DCBIA and other organizations have long advocated for modernizing TOPA to ensure it works as intended—protecting tenants without creating unnecessary roadblocks to development and investment. The RENTAL Act reflects these priorities, ensuring that DC remains a national leader in sustainable urban growth.

Clint Mann, DCBIA Board President and a leading force in DC real estate, highlighted the link between housing and community saying, "Strong neighborhoods need a strong housing market. With housing providers under pressure from years of lost rental income, the RENTAL Act provides a solid foundation to rebuild a more sustainable and vibrant DC. We applaud the Mayor and look forward to collaborating with public and private partners on further solutions to ensure our city thrives."

Here is a summary of the bill's 11 components.