Rent Stabilization

We’re seeing rent stabilization passed in counties across Maryland, and the people of Baltimore are ready to join the fight! BRU has begun planning a rent stabilization campaign and we’re inviting all the tenants in Baltimore City to join us!

Whether homeowner or renter - across race, class, and zip code - all of us deserve the chance to put down roots in our communities.

Unfortunately, Black and Latine households have been subjected to egregious rent spikes that are pushing our neighbors out of our communities. Predatory rent spikes are a racial justice issue, and we can stop them by passing rent stabilization!

Rent stabilization is a smart and targeted policy to protect tenants from unreasonable rent spikes. It accounts for the operating expenses of landlords and is cost-effective for our city. Let's rewrite outdated and unfair rules so they work for the people of Baltimore!

Baltimore renters united, CASA, Baltimore Student Union, Organizing Black, MICA, 1199SEIU, Maryland Justice Project, Homeless Persons Representation Project, No Boundaries Coalition, Teachers & Researchers United, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, SURJ

How Can I Get Involved?

Baltimore City was among the many Maryland jurisdictions that limited rent increases at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many jurisdictions in Maryland have made rent stabilization permanent. We believe a limit on annual rent increases should be codified in Baltimore City as a permanent law.  Click the link below to view our policy position and sign on expressing your support for the campaign: 

BRU would like to hear your voice about how we can work together to make housing affordable in Baltimore by fighting for rent stabilization. If you’re a tenant and you’d like to get involved, please take a few minutes to fill out our rent stabilization survey and let us know what your experience has been like and what you’d like to see in Baltimore City’s future. There’s a section at the end to put in your contact information to get involved in our campaign!

What is Rent Stabilization?

Rent Stabilization is a policy that prevents landlords from spiking rents over a chosen percentage each year or lease renewal. It keeps rent affordable and predictable for tenants from year to year. For example - a 3% rent stabilization policy means that your landlord can only raise your rent by 3% of the current amount each year - so if you pay $1000/mo in 2023, you rent can only be raised to $1030/mo in 2024, maximum.

How Do We Get It?

We can come together! As renters, we can fight back against exploitative landlords by organizing together. Rent stabilization will require broad support across the city - it's time to get to know each other as neighbors.

Rent Stabilization: Myths & Facts

Myth:

Market rate (uncontrolled) rent "trickles down" and benefits low-income tenants

Reality:

Market rate housing does not provide long-term stability or alleviate the displacement of current residents. The number of low-cost rental units in the United States is rapidly plummeting, while major cities are pricing out low-income communities. It is next to impossible to build new housing fast enough to provide enough market rate unites to prevent the rent gouging tenants are facing

Myth:

Affordable housing programs are better than rent stabilization because they target low-income tenants

Reality:

There is not adequate funding for subsidized housing. The wait lists are astronomical. Rent stabilization lowers rent overall, complementing rental assistance programs better than the private market. Stabilization reaches immigrants who don't otherwise qualify for benefits, and primarily benefits low-income tenants of color.

Myth:

Rent stabilization results in lower maintenance and poor housing conditions.

Reality:

As it is, greedy corporate landlords are not passing on their excessive profits to invest in maintenance tenants sorely need. Data shows that housing conditions improve after passing rent control or rent stabilization. Tenants feel more comfortable with insisting on repairs without fearing retaliation.