The city council of Mount Rainier in Prince George’s county voted unanimously in favor of a bill limiting rent increases to 60% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) annually, making it the first municipality in Prince George’s County to do so.

The bill, which passed in a 5-0 vote during a special legislative meeting on Tuesday night, would fine landlords $500 for their first violation of the new law. Additional violations would be subject to a fine of $1,000. The new law will also establish a five member council-appointed rent stabilization board, to be composed of at least three tenants and one landlord.

According to census data, more than 75% of its approximately 8,000 residents are composed of renters, and nearly half pay more than 35% of their household income for rent. Among those residents who say the new law will benefit them is Cristina Coca, who has lived in the same Mount Rainier apartment for 8 years. As an immigrant, she says resources are sometimes limited.

“Every year there is too much rent increase,” says Coca.

“It’s going to be a huge help for us,” she added.

Ahead of the vote, several residents and advocates demonstrated in favor of rent stabilization, including members of CASA, an immigrant advocacy group based in Maryland.

“Maryland is swiftly moving in the direction that offers renters the ability to stay in their homes. This means less displacement and stronger community. Rent stabilization also incentivizes landlords to invest in the property because they must show significant investment in order to raise the rent above the city limit,” said CASA organizer Jorge Benitez-Perez in a statement.

Not everyone is happy with the results of the vote. Ryan Washington, who represents property owners in Prince George’s and Montgomery County for the Apartment & Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington, says rent stabilization will make it harder for landlords in the region.

“It is saddening to hear that this bill passed,” says Washington. “Many of our housing providers are already struggling coming out of the pandemic, and so with this blanketed rent cap, it will only make things worse for a lot of our members operating in the city of Mount Rainier and across the county.”

The bill’s passage comes after months of debate in Prince George’s County over rent stabilization. Next week, the county council is set to take a vote on a separate but similar piece of legislation. In response, Mel Franklin, at-large member of Prince George’s County introduced the Rental Assistance Act of 2023, an alternative bill that would instead cap rent increases at 20% and create a rental assistance fund.