Council passes Rental Act as amended after hours of debate over TOPA, tenant protections and developer incentives

The Council of the District of Columbia on Sept. 17 approved the Rebalancing Expectations for Neighbors, Tenants, and Landlords Rental Act of 2025 (Bill 20‑6‑164) after extended debate and multiple roll-call amendments.

The measure, carried in the Council as the committee's amendment in the nature of a substitute, aims to change eviction timelines, clarify D.C. Housing Authority (DCHA) governance, and alter parts of the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA). Councilmember Robert White, chair of the Committee on Housing, said the bill is a step toward fairness and stability in the city's housing market: "Final passage of the committee's A and S today isn't a silver bullet or a quick fix, but it is a step."

Why it matters: The legislation comes amid a stark housing supply shock and court backlogs the bill's proponents say are driving rent increases and investment withdrawal. The measure changes eviction procedures, creates new DCHA board structure provisions and revises TOPA exemptions that have generated sharp disagreement among…