Evening star., 1947-07-04
cogsweI|Studies
dc. Rent Boost
Due 10 Tax Rise
Consideration Based
On Reossessment and
Increase in Rate
By Robert J. Lewis
Real Estois Editor Of The Sfor


Robert F. Cogswell, District
rent control administrator, to-
day said he will consider possible
overall rent increases here in
view of recently increased tax
rates. 49,
Mr.. Cogswell said his study would
be based on the recent reassessment
Of residential real estate and .
boost in the tax rate, together with
a forthcoming Is per cent boost in
the water rate.
The new assessment, effective
July /, raises by a blanket 20 per
cent the assessed value of houses
(but not the land on which they
are located. The tax rate was in
creased on the same date from SITS
to 81 per s100 valuation. Legisla-
ton Is pending to authorize a Is
per cent increase in the water rate.
Reply to Question.
Mr.. Cogswell's statement was in
reply to a question as to whether
the District Rent Control Admin
istratton planned to allow landlords
to be reimbursed for the three addi-
tional costs.
He said he would defer active
consideration of the matter, how
ever. until legislation to extend
District rent control is finally en-
acted, owing to the possibility that
voluntary rent increases might be
allowed here by Congress along the
same lines as provided in the ex-
tension of national rent control.
"As soon as final action is taken
on the pending bill to extend the
rent act, this Office will confer with
the assessor to ascertain just how
all-inclusive the 20 per cent in
cease in assessment u.s." he said.
| Meanwhile, it was learned rent
hearing July 81 will be the first
at which the tax rate boost and
higher assessment will be used as
arguments for a rent increase.
| Stephen G. Ingham. attorney for
S. d. Moses, owner Of an 86-unit
apartment building at 1914 Massa-
chusetts avenue NV, said he would
cite these points at the hearing,
together with higher maintenance
and operating costs, and the higher
water rate, If it becomes law by
that time. A Is per cent boost is
being sought for the apartments,
whose rents range from s42.50 to
$l05 a month.
Bill Before Senate Unit.
A. bill, to. extend the District rent
control act to March 81, 1948-one
month longer than the national
law provides0is before the Senate
District Committee
Under this bill, which has passed
the House, no voluntary increases
would be permitted in the District.
The National Rent Control Act, ef-
fective everywhere except in the
District, provides that a landlord
may raise rents IS per cent, If the
tenant agrees, in exchange for a
lease continuing to December 81,
1943.
The Washington Real Estate
Board has never gone on record
with a request that Congress per-
NIT Is per cent voluntary increases
here
The local board, however, some
time ago requested a 10 per cent
increase on rents existing prior to
January /, 1912, and smaller in
creases ranging from TO 2 per cent
on dwellings whose rent ceilings
were set subsequent to that date.
Operating Costs Theory.
| The request for lower percentage
increases on dwellings rented after
1912 was on the theory that ade-
quate consideration was given by
the District rent administration to
higher wartime construction and
operating costs when it fixed those
ceilings.
Now, however, in view Of in
creased municipal costs, and a con-
sequent heavier burden on real
estate, it is understood the Senate
District Committee may be asked
to allow a voluntary Is per cent in
crease here on the same basis as
is provided by the national rent
control act.
This would have the effect Of
[ (See RENT, Page A-50