Please stop turning Virginia into another California, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Illinois. They are a mess because of leftist agenda. So many people have left Northern Virginia for the same reasons. Why are some of you still using illogical policies? The middle class has been destroyed by the leftist government. Why don’t you stop the hurtful agenda and work with all American citizens and the administration instead of trying to divide us again. This is why many find today’s progressive policies irresponsible. By the way, who allowed our monuments, statues , and businesses to be destroyed? Who wanted to defund the police? It was not the common sense law abiding citizens and leaders. Equality, Liberty for all Virginia.

Please reject HB2175, which would lead to housing shortages in the long run by authorizing rent-control ordinances. 93% of economists oppose rent control, in a poll of the American Economic Association. Economists think rent control shrinks the amount of housing available. HB 2175 would authorize rigid rent control ordinances that can't even allow rents to be properly adjusted for inflation when inflation exceeds 3%. When rent increases are limited to less than inflation, housing providers cut back on maintenance and improvements, according to studies and surveys. By cutting property values, rent control can shrink the tax revenue that funds schools and local governments. It also shrinks housing production: The Montgomery Perspective reported that six developers stopped housing projects when a county government imposed rent control. [THIS COMMENT CHANGES A WORD IN MY PRIOR COMMENT, TO REFLECT THE AMENDMENT TO THE BILL APPARENTLY MADE BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE. THANKS!].

Please reject HB2175, which would lead to housing shortages in the long run by authorizing rent-control ordinances. 93% of economists oppose rent control, in a poll of the American Economic Association. Economists think rent control shrinks the amount of housing available. HB 2175 would authorize rigid rent control ordinances that can't even allow rents to be properly adjusted for inflation when inflation exceeds 7%. When rent increases are limited to less than inflation, housing providers cut back on maintenance and improvements, according to studies and surveys. By cutting property values, rent control can shrink the tax revenue that funds schools and local governments. It also shrinks housing production: The Montgomery Perspective reported that six developers stopped housing projects when a county government imposed rent control.

Collecting of rent on a working person is a deeply asymmetrical act. We must put a finger on the scales of this asymmetry by legislative wisdom or else risk further corrosion of the load bearing parts of society, the working people, be driven into a corner and abandoned for landlord profit. It's unconscionable to allow the renters to control the market as thoroughly as they do. Anti-rent gouging is an important policy need that we must approve. FOR HB2175

Peace, I am FOR the adoption of local anti-rent gouging ordinances! This would be amazing for thousands of tenants to stop landlords from the ridiculous rent hikes. Year after year tenants that live with same living conditions, or worse off living conditions are being charged more for essentially nothing in exchange. Exspenses are continuously rising & wages are staying the same. It takes more time away from the home to maintain a home that is only half way being lived in so someone else can benefit outside of the home one is taking care of. Its up to the people to look our for the people, you never know when you are going to be the person neededing to be taken care of. Thank you.

I am against this bill which would allow localities to implement their own anti-rent gouging ordinances, as it could lead to several issues: State and Federal Overlap: With existing state and federal price gouging laws, this bill introduces redundancy. Statewide laws provide a consistent framework, whereas local ordinances could create a patchwork of regulations, complicating compliance for landlords operating in multiple jurisdictions. Economic Distortion: Setting a rent increase cap at the lesser of CPI or 7% might not reflect local market dynamics, potentially distorting the housing market by discouraging investment in rental properties or maintenance, leading to a decrease in housing quality or availability. Administrative Burden: The requirement for localities to establish an anti-rent gouging board adds layers of bureaucracy, increasing administrative costs and complexity for local governments, which could divert resources from other essential services. Notice Period: Mandating a two-month notice for rent increases could be impractical in fast-moving markets or for landlords facing sudden increases in their own costs, potentially impacting their financial stability. Exemption Process: The creation of an exemption process through a board could lead to favoritism or inconsistent application of rules, potentially opening the door for legal challenges or perceptions of unfair treatment. Civil Penalties: Imposing civil penalties might deter small landlords or those with limited resources from continuing to rent out properties, reducing the rental housing stock at a time when affordable housing is already scarce. Proposed Amendment to State Law: Given these concerns, I propose an amendment to the existing state price gouging law to address rent increases more effectively: Amendment: Add a provision to the state's price gouging statute that specifically addresses rent increases during emergencies or housing crises. This amendment would: Standardize the Approach: Ensure a uniform state-wide policy on rent increases, avoiding the confusion of local variations. Emergency Triggers: Only activate during declared states of emergency or when a housing crisis is officially recognized by the state, preventing unnecessary regulation during normal market conditions. Cap Based on CPI: Set a cap on rent increases at the annual CPI increase or a fixed percentage (e.g., 5%), whichever is lower, during the specified periods, providing predictability for both tenants and landlords. Notice Requirement: Require landlords to provide at least one month's written notice of any rent increase during these periods, balancing tenant protection with landlord flexibility. Exemptions: Allow for state-level exemptions in cases where landlords can demonstrate significant, unforeseen increases in their operational costs, with a clear, transparent process managed by the state housing authority. Enforcement: Establish state-level enforcement with civil penalties for non-compliance, ensuring consistency and reducing the administrative load on local governments. This amendment would maintain the integrity of the state's regulatory framework, provide protections where they are most needed, and avoid the pitfalls of localized, potentially inconsistent regulations.

My property management company raises rent a minimum of 8% per lease renewal, and I was told that by the manager themselves. I am a social worker working for the state and my annual salary increases have been grossly insufficient. I have questioned whether I will end up homeless because of the increased rent. There is no evidence as to why the rent needs to go up as high as it has; the landlords aren’t required to provide any justification. It is causing families to become homeless; this runs off into increased CPS reports for children, increased mental health and substance use issues, etc. when people lose their homes. I am being “priced out” of the city I have lived in for my entire 27 years of life. Please please consider passing this legislation to protect hard working Virginians who would love to stay here.

This bill is fair to all, landlords and tenants. Providing notice of changes to tenants is practical as well as courteous. In reading the bill, I saw nothing that should keep landlords and all of us from supporting it. I do support it. Thank you.