What is the law regarding rent increases?

In the District of Columbia, regulations governing rent increases are outlined in the Rental Housing Act of 1985. Generally speaking, landlords must provide a thirty-day notice to tenants before they raise the rent. This notice should explain the amount of the rent increase and the effective date of the increase. During the thirty-day period, the tenant has the right to challenge the rent increase by filing an application with the Rental Accommodation Division (RAD) of the Department of Housing and Community Development. If the tenant wishes to challenge the rent increase, the RAD may conduct a hearing with both the landlord and tenant present. During the hearing, the RAD will review evidence and testimony from both parties and will decide whether or not the increase is reasonable. If the RAD decides that the increase is reasonable, then the tenant must pay the increased rent amount, however, if the RAD decides that it is not reasonable, then the rent increase will be denied. On the other hand, if the tenant does not challenge the rent increase within the thirty-day period, then the tenant is considered to have agreed to the increase and will be responsible for paying the increased rent amount. Furthermore, the landlord must provide the tenant with a written notice that explains the amount of the increase, the effective date of the increase, and a statement that the tenant has the right to challenge the rent increase through the RAD. Overall, landlords in the District of Columbia are expected to follow the Rental Housing Act of 1985 when dealing with rent increases. It is important that tenants are aware of their rights under the law, as they do have the option to challenge any rent increase they feel is unreasonable.

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What is the law regarding rent increases?

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