D.C. Council advances Rental Act amid heated debate over evictions, TOPA exemptions

The Council of the District of Columbia on Monday advanced the Rental Act (Bill 26‑164) on first reading after a daylong debate that centered on eviction timelines, tenant protections under the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA), and reforms to the District of Columbia Housing Authority.

Why it matters: Supporters said the measure is a package aimed at boosting housing production, reducing delays in eviction cases and strengthening some tenant protections; opponents warned the bill weakens notice rules for tenants and carves out new TOPA exemptions that could strip rights from current tenants.

Councilmember Robert White, chair of the Committee on Housing and sponsor of the amendment-in-the-nature-of-a-substitute, framed the vote as an urgent response to a steep drop in housing construction. "This vote on the Rental Act is not about scoring political points. It's about solving D.C.'s housing crisis for our residents," he said, noting apartment building permits fell sharply in recent years and that renters make up roughly 70% of the District's population.

Key changes approved at first reading - Eviction timelines: The committee substitute shortens certain pre‑filing notice periods in nonpayment and public‑safety‑related eviction cases (committee language moves some notice periods from 30 days to 10 days and shortens later summons periods). Proponents said the changes align parts of the…