Which States Have the Strictest Rent Control Laws?
Which States Have the Strictest Rent Control Laws?
States with the strongest rent control laws tend to have regulations that cap rent increases, protect tenant rights, and set limits on evictions. Here’s an overview of some of the states with the most notable rent control measures:
- California: California's Tenant Protection Act (2019) caps rent increases at 5% plus the local inflation rate (up to 10% max per year) and limits evictions to just cause, making it one of the most robust rent control systems. Some local cities, like Los Angeles and San Francisco, have additional, even stricter rent control regulations.
- Oregon: Oregon was the first state to enact statewide rent control (in 2019). Rent increases are limited to 7% plus inflation per year, with exceptions for new buildings (within 15 years) and affordable housing. Landlords are also required to provide just-cause eviction reasons after one year of tenancy.
- New York: New York has long-standing rent stabilization and rent control measures, especially in New York City. The Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (2019) strengthened tenant protections statewide, limiting security deposits and tightening eviction rules, while NYC has additional rent-stabilized units with restricted increases.
- New Jersey: While New Jersey does not have statewide rent control, it allows municipalities to adopt rent control ordinances. Cities like Newark, Jersey City, and Hoboken have some of the strictest local rent control measures, typically capping increases based on the consumer price index (CPI).
- Maryland: Maryland lacks statewide rent control but allows local jurisdictions to pass their own ordinances. Montgomery County and Prince George’s County have local rent stabilization laws that regulate rent increases based on CPI.
These states generally balance tenant protection with allowances for inflation-related rent increases, though new policies are constantly under review due to changing housing pressures.
