Lawmakers Take Steps to Protect Against Rising Rents

As rent continues to increase in cities across the country, some lawmakers are taking steps to protect tenants, according to Realtor.com.

The national median rental price of a two-bedroom apartment is $1,185 as of April 30, according to the rental site Apartment List. That's a 1.5% annual rise. However, many cities have seen much higher increases. And those just barely making ends meet are struggling to find—and then keep—a roof over their heads.

In February, Oregon became the first state in the nation to impose statewide limits on how much landlords can raise rents. The move was a response to the surge in median rents in recent years.

With some tenants in southwest Portland, OR, reporting increases of 350%, “Oregon couldn’t ignore it anymore,” says Katrina Holland, executive director of the Community Alliance of Tenants. The new legislation would generally cap increases at 7% annually, plus inflation, while exempting new construction for 15 years.

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