Committee adds 4.7% CPI adjustment to pending CSFRA utility calculations

The Rental Housing Committee on Dec. 18 adopted an amendment to Chapter 13 of the Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act (CSFRA) regulations to modify step 8 of the one‑time utility adjustment calculation by incorporating a 4.7% CPI increase covering June 2023 to June 2025.

Staff said the amendment is necessary because the deadline for submitting one‑time utility adjustment petitions had been extended and the additional CPI line must be included in the calculation for petitions that are still pending. Staff clarified that properties whose petitions have already been finalized and tenants who have received notice will retain the final amounts previously communicated.

Committee members asked whether CPI is the most accurate metric for utility cost changes versus using a utility‑specific price index; staff said CPI was selected earlier in the process and changing the metric now would affect petitions already in process, so the amendment simply carries forward the earlier methodology and applies it only to pending petitions.

Member Brown moved to adopt the amendments as described; Vice Chair Cox seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Staff said the CPI adjustment will be incorporated into final calculations for petitions still pending as of the adoption date.