The ordinance limits rent increases and stops landlords from decreasing housing services.
Fairfax’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance will limit rent increases to once a year. Annual rent increases will be capped at 60% of the annual percentage increase to the April, 2023 Consumer Price Index (CPI) and 75% of the annual percentage increase to the April, 2024 and every year thereafter, Consumer Price Index (CPI), or 5%, whichever is less.
The maximum annual rent increase for the period September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024 is 60% of the April, 2023 CPI, which was 4.2% making the maximum annual rent increase for this time period 2.52%.
Once implemented, the ordinance will allow tenants to file petitions with the town when landlords increase their rent above the limit or there are decreases in “Housing Services.” For example, a tenant could file a petition if a landlord raised the price of parking or utilities over that which is allowed under the rental agreement and maximum rent increase. A tenant could also file a petition if the landlord stopped providing services such as pool or laundry access if promised under the rental agreement, or if the landlord failed to make repairs or allowed the building to fall into disrepair in violation of law or the rental agreement.