The Rental Housing Commission (RHC) has published the 2026 change in the regional consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W). This figure is used to calculate the maximum standard annual rent increase for any rental unit under rent control.

To view the RHC's Notice, go to the following link and click "View text" after "Notice File": District of Columbia Municipal Regulations and District of Columbia Register

For any unit under rent control, the following will apply to any rent increase that takes effect in Rent Control Year 2026 (starting May 1, 2026, & ending April 30, 2027):

• 2.1% cap for elderly / disability tenants: Each year the rent increase cap for elderly and disability tenants is either (a) the Social Security COLA (2.8%); (b) the CPI-W (2.1%); or (c) 5%, whichever the RHC determines to be lowest. If a rent-controlled unit is occupied by an elderly tenant or a tenant with a disability, the maximum standard rent increase for Rent Control Year 2025 will be 2.1%. To qualify for this lower rent increase cap, the tenant must have registered his or her elderly or disability status with the Rent Administrator.
• 4.1% cap for all other tenants: For all other rent-controlled units (those occupied by non-elderly/without disability tenants), the maximum standard rent increase will be 4.1% (CPI-W + 2%).
• Qualification for elderly / disability surcharge protection: Elderly tenants and tenants with a disability who are registered with the Rent Administrator as lower income are also exempt from rent surcharges due to housing provider petitions that have been approved by the government. Examples include a Capital Improvement Petition or a Hardship Petition. To qualify, household income cannot exceed $98,350 for a family of four, plus or minus $9,800 to $9,850 for each additional or fewer person in the household.