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B 26-0164

Rebalancing Expectations for Neighbors, Tenants, and Landlords (RENTAL) Act of 2025

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Phil Mendelson

Enacts new DC landlord–tenant rules to rebalance protections: revamps eviction procedures and strengthens tenant protections, affecting renters, landlords, and housing agencies.

Law L26-0080, Effective from Dec 31, 2025 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 000613
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Bill Summary · B 26-0164

Summary — B26-0164: Rebalancing Expectations for Neighbors, Tenants, and Landlords (RENTAL) Act of 2025

Status: Enacted as Act A26-0199 (Published in DC Register, Vol. 72, p. 012894)
Introduced: March 3, 2025 | Primary sponsor: Councilmember Phil Mendelson

Purpose / Intent

The bill’s short title — the “Rebalancing Expectations for Neighbors, Tenants, and Landlords (RENTAL) Act of 2025” — indicates an intent to change the District’s legal framework governing landlord–tenant relations. The legislative history shows extensive committee consideration and multiple amendments. The final, enacted text is A26-0199 (see link below) and should be consulted for precise duties, definitions, and legal changes.

Note: The actual statutory language is not included in the documents you provided. The summary below focuses on the bill’s procedural history and the likely subject areas based on the title; readers should review A26-0199 for exact provisions.

Key procedural history (selected)

  • 2025-03-03: Introduced by Chairman Mendelson
  • 2025-03-18: Referred to Committee on Housing, Committee on Human Services, and Committee of the Whole
  • 2025-05-28: Public hearing held
  • 2025-07-09 & 03-25: Committee mark-ups and committee reports filed (Housing; Human Services)
  • 2025-07-28 → 2025-09-17 → 2025-10-21: Multiple readings, amendments, motions to reconsider; several amendments offered (many withdrawn)
  • 2025-10-30: Transmitted to Mayor (response due Nov 14, 2025)
  • 2025-11-13: Returned from Mayor and signed; enacted as Act A26-0199
  • 2025-11-17: Transmitted to Congress for review; published in DC Register on 2025-11-21

Likely subject areas and provisions (inferred)

Because the full text is not provided here, the enacted act likely addresses one or more of the following common landlord–tenant topics consistent with its title:
- Changes to eviction procedures, notice periods, or grounds for eviction
- Adjustments to tenant protections (e.g., anti-retaliation, repair & habitability obligations)
- Modifications to landlord responsibilities (maintenance, registration, licensing)
- Rental assistance, mediation, or alternative dispute resolution mechanisms
- Clarifications of neighbor/tenant conduct rules and enforcement authority

These items are speculative and should be verified against the enacted Act A26-0199.

Who is affected

  • Renters/tenants in the District of Columbia
  • Property owners and landlords (including property managers)
  • District agencies that enforce housing laws (e.g., Housing Department, Office of Tenant Advocacy)
  • Courts and administrative bodies handling housing disputes
  • Community organizations providing tenant legal assistance or landlord services

Current status and next steps

  • Enacted by the Council and signed by the Mayor (Act A26-0199).
  • Transmitted to the U.S. Congress for review under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act; Congress may disapprove within its review period.
  • Effective date(s) and operative rules are set in the enacted text — consult A26-0199 for timing and transitional provisions.

Where to read the law

  • Enacted text: Act A26-0199, published in the DC Register, Vol. 72, p. 012894 (Nov 21, 2025).
  • For the exact statutory changes, see the DC Register entry or the Council of the District of Columbia website (search for Act A26-0199 / B26-0164).

If you want, I can retrieve and summarize the enacted Act A26-0199’s specific provisions once you provide the text or authorize me to fetch it.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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