Coronavirus Relief Act Would Prohibit Rent Increases In MoCo

ROCKVILLE, MD — As more Montgomery County residents file for unemployment, a local lawmaker has introduced a bill that could give renters a financial lifeline during the coronavirus pandemic.

Expedited Bill 18-20, also known as the COVID-19 Renter Relief Act, would prohibit landlords from increasing rent for residential tenants during, and within 30 days after, the public health emergency. It would also bar them from posting notices of rent increases during, and within a certain time period after, the emergency.

Councilmember Will Jawando (D) is the lead sponsor of the bill.

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"One in ten Americans is out of work right now. We need federal action to help many people to be able to pay their current rents, let alone an increased rent," Jawando said.

The lawmaker — who serves on the county's housing and economic development committee — noted that his office has received reports about "substantial increases in rent and significant late fees being added" at Gallery Bethesda, Quebec Terrace, The Grand, and other properties.

At least one resident of Gallery Bethesda, a luxury apartment complex in Woodmont Triangle, saw their rent increase by 35 percent, Jawando said. Last month, Quebec Terrance in Silver Spring reportedly hiked the rent by 9 percent and imposed additional late fees.

Jawando says The Grand in North Bethesda is "maybe ... one of the worst ones" he's been flagged about. According to the lawmaker, a resident complained about a 25 percent hike, increasing their rent from $1,600 to $2,200 a month. He noted that there have been at least three other incidents ranging from 14 to 16 percent rent increases.

"We need to ensure that vulnerable residents, many of whom are already dealing with heightened anxiety and heightened risk of infection, do not also have to worry about large, unanticipated rent increases and about whether they can afford to stay in their dwelling places during this crisis," Jawando said.

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