Council approves broad rental-reform bill after hours of debate and TOPA amendments

The Council voted to approve Bill 26‑164, the Rebalancing Expectations for Neighbors, Tenants, and Landlords Rental Act of 2025, after extensive debate and a series of amendments that changed how the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) and public-housing oversight are handled.

Council member Robert White, who led the bill’s presentation and moved an amendment-in-the-nature-of-a-substitute, framed the measure as a response to a mounting housing and eviction crisis. He cited steep declines in apartment permits and a backlog in eviction cases, saying the bill “is a step toward bringing fairness and stability to our housing market” and that it is the starting point for broader reforms. (Council member Robert White)

The Council accepted a set of substantive changes. Council member Nadeau and others won an amendment that preserves TOPA’s core…