Rent Control & Tenant Protections

Some states and cities cap rent increases (rent control/stabilization) and layer 'just-cause' eviction rules: the landlord must cite an allowed reason — nonpayment, lease violation, owner move-in — to end a tenancy. Vacancy decontrol often lets rent reset between tenants. Where they exist, these rules are police-power regulations that survive property sales, and managers must track notice periods (e.g., longer notice for large increases) and relocation-assistance triggers. On the national exam, know the concept and that it's STATE/LOCAL law; on state portions, know your jurisdiction's specifics. Retaliation against tenants who report code violations is separately illegal everywhere.