Montgomery County Council passes rent stabilization bill

The Montgomery County Council voted to pass permanent rent stabilization in a landmark decision Tuesday. Dozens of rent control advocates who waited over nine hours in council chambers cheered as the vote came, while at least one worried councilmember warned of “a cascading negative effect for generations.” Bill 15-23 will cap annual increases at the region’s consumer price index (CPI) plus 3% , with a hard cap of 6% of the base rent.