Reviewed by Casa Academy and updated July 29, 2026 using the current DBPR checklist and Pearson VUE scheduling guidance.
Rent Control
Rent control is a government regulation that limits how much a landlord may increase rent or charge for certain residential units, typically in designated cities or states, overriding free-market lease terms for covered properties.
Exam context
Rent control limits rent increases on covered units. Local ordinance determines coverage. Rent stabilization is milder form. Most states preempt local rent control unless authorized.
Regulatory models
Strict rent control caps annual increases on occupied units and may tie adjustments to inflation indexes. Some jurisdictions allow vacancy decontrol when tenants move. Rent stabilization moderates increases without freezing initial rents. Most U.S. markets have no rent control; agents must verify local ordinance coverage before advising on pricing.
Landlord and tenant compliance
Covered landlords register units and follow petition processes for capital improvement pass-throughs. Illegal rent increases may trigger penalties and refunds. Lease clauses attempting to waive rent control rights are often void. Buyers of rent-controlled buildings inherit regulated tenants and must review rent rolls carefully during due diligence.
Examples
Annual cap
A city allows a 3% maximum rent increase on registered apartments. A landlord raising rent 8% faces an tenant petition and potential refund order.
Due diligence purchase
An investor buying a six-unit building discovers four units are rent-controlled with below-market rents locked until vacancy decontrol occurs.
Keep studying
Related terms
- Lease expirationNatural lease end may trigger vacancy decontrol rules.
- Lessor vs lesseeLandlord-tenant roles affected by rent regulation.
Related resources
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- Florida exam topic hub
Florida-specific explainers and question sets for this topic area.
Sources
- HUD: tenant rights resources(U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)