Happy Thanksgiving to our clients and friends. A lot has transpired since our October Alert (linked here), so we are providing this update on TOPA, rent control, and transfer and recordation taxes. TOPA Reform. On...more
The word "game-changer" is overused, however, the Renters' Rights Act 2025 (the "Act") is worthy of the designation. With increased security of tenure effected by the abolition of no fault eviction and the move to rolling...more
On May 7, 2025, HB 1217 took effect bringing some changes to the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.18). One of the most notable changes is the cap on rent increases for residential tenancies. Not only does...more
On October 6, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 628 (AB 628) into law, mandating that landlords provide a working stove and refrigerator in all rental units subject to new, amended, or renewed...more
The First District Court of Appeal held that a new certificate of occupancy and substantial property improvements do not exempt former military housing from local rent control under the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act when...more
Our most recent Alert discussed the proposed reforms to the DC Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA). This Alert provides an update on the reform legislation, as well as a summary of an important TOPA litigation victory...more
Gov. Shapiro Issues EO to Safeguard Vaccine Access - Governor Josh Shapiro issued an executive order directing state agencies to create vaccine information hubs, expand safety-net programs, and require insurance coverage...more
On 25 September 2025, Saudi Arabia adopted the Regulatory Provisions for the Rental Relationship (the “Rental Provisions”) via Royal Decree and a Council of Ministers resolution, effective immediately on the same date. The...more
At the Oregon State Bar Real Estate and Land Use Section Annual Conference in Bend, I had the privilege of presenting this year’s legislative update. This was the result of a collective effort of the 17 members of the...more
We start our August Alert with some potentially very good news. The RENTAL Act, a bill to reform TOPA, passed its first vote by the DC Council on July 28, 2025. The RENTAL Act includes, among other things, a blanket exemption...more
As spring begins to give way to summer, legislative activity shows no signs of cooling off. Our May TOPA Alert generated many questions and comments and a further update on the pending TOPA reform legislation is included...more
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed into law the Affordable Housing Retention Act (AHRA), which for the next four years enables condo conversions of specific buildings in New York City with a presale requirement for...more
As of 6 May 2025 Germany has a new government. After intensive coalition negotiations, CDU/CSU and SPD agreed on a joint housing policy in their coalition agreement, combining and developing elements of both manifestos under...more
On May 7, 2025, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1217 (HB 1217) into law, establishing statewide residential rent control measures, effective immediately. The legislation limits annual rent increases,...more
This month’s Alert updates recent housing legislation, including proposed amendments to the DC Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA), the launch of the DC RentRegistry portal, and updates to Montgomery County's rent...more
CHICAGO—City Begins Converting Loop Office Buildings to Housing -Chicago’s La Salle Corridor Revitalization Initiative kicked off last week, beginning with the transformation of a historic 14-story Loop office building into...more
With very active legislative sessions in the DMV region, we're providing these updates on proposed legislation and several ongoing efforts impacting the multifamily industry. ...more
On 23 February 2025, Germany will hold general parliamentary elections. One of the campaign issues is the continuing housing shortage as one of the most pressing socio-political challenges of our time. The current German...more
CHICAGO — Data Shows City’s Labor Market Stabilizing - Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee said the latest jobs report suggests the labor market is stabilizing at full employment and is not a sign of an...more
With the New Year under way, we wanted to provide updates on legislative activity and other developments affecting multifamily properties in the region and across the country, including Maryland Building Energy Performance...more
With another interest rate cut, the capital markets appear to be more promising for real estate transactions; time will tell how this month’s elections will impact the real estate industry. ...more
With Election Day fast approaching, market indicators appear more promising, notwithstanding regulatory hurdles. As a follow-up to our most recent Alert, below are some updates on recent multifamily legislative and legal...more
On the multifamily front, transactions are picking up. The benefits of the interest rate cut by the Fed are offset somewhat by the increasingly complex legal and regulatory environment impacting multifamily properties,...more
This fall, California voters will decide whether the state should continue prohibiting cities and counties from enacting or expanding rent control. If they vote “yes” in November, San Francisco could be ready to extend the...more
As summer 2024 winds down, the implementation of new rent control laws has attracted much attention. Providing some respite from the summer’s rent control heat is a recent win for the multifamily industry coming from the...more