Repeal rent control ordinance or put it to voter referendum
In Plain English
The city passed a rent control law in 2015 that created a rent board and requires landlords to show just cause before evicting tenants. The council can either eliminate this law entirely or let voters decide its fate in a special election. If approved, rental housing returns to market-rate pricing without eviction protections.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Repeal Ordinance 21-15 N.S, and adopt Ordinance 26-15 N.S.
7 to 0
Why This Vote Matters
The council unanimously voted to repeal the city's rent control law, which had been in place since 2015. This eliminates the rent board and removes requirements that landlords show just cause before evicting tenants, allowing rental housing to return to market-rate pricing without eviction protections. The decision affects all rental properties in the city and removes tenant protections that had limited rent increases and provided eviction safeguards for nearly a decade.
Auto-generated context. Source: official meeting records.
Community Discussion
This discussion was submitted to the City Clerk as part of the public record.
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The Story So Far
10 prior discussions on this topic
Receive presentation on research for new real estate disclosure requirements
Receive letters from residents about rent control and eviction laws
Review landlord's appeal of $5,054 penalty for habitability violations
Establish regulations requiring disclosure and oversight of landlord-tenant buyout agreements
Receive community letters about rent control and eviction protection law
Honor Nicolas Traylor for 9 years leading Richmond Rent Program
Receive monthly financial report for rent control program through January 2026
APPROVE the minutes of January 21, 2026, Regular Meeting of the Richmond Rent Board
Receive monthly financial report for rent stabilization program
APPROVE the minutes of November 19, 2025, Regular Meeting of the Richmond Rent Board