“May 1 is the first date landlords may raise rents in rent-controlled units”

“Dear PoPville,

For anybody who didn’t know, May 1 is the first date landlords may raise rents in rent-controlled units, following a freeze on increases amid the pandemic. Landlord have to provide 30 days notice, which means lots of tenants should be receiving letters around now.

I received a letter that my landlord will increase my rent, and it mostly seems to be above board. But there’s one note that caught my eye: my landlord wants me to sign a new month-to-month lease. I’ve lived in this building for years and had numerous rent increases, but the only lease I’ve signed was when I moved in.

I know that residential leases in DC automatically become month-to-month after the initial term, which makes me question why the landlord wants me to sign something new. I wonder if anybody has been asked by their landlord to sign a new lease and what I should look for in the paperwork.”