VA General Assembly update: HB 721, an anti-rent gouging bill, moves forward
HB 721 “aims to protect Virginians against rent gouging practices,” said Delegate Nadarius Clark, who introduced the bill.
If passed, HB 721 will give localities the ability to adopt anti-rent gouging provisions and an anti-rent gouging board. Notice would have to be provided and a public hearing held before a locality adopted its measures.
The bill also requires landlords to provide at least two months written notice of a rent increase.
Additionally, a rent increase couldn’t exceed the locality calculated allowance. And the allowance would be set at equal to the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index or 7%, whichever is less. An allowance would remain in place for a 12-month period.
“Changing economies, inflation, and gentrified neighborhoods have provided the environment...
