Victory for Housing Advocacy – and What Comes Next

Last night, the Albuquerque City Council’s Land Use, Planning & Zoning (LUPZ) Committee once again heard testimony on Ordinance O-25-88—the so-called “RENT” ordinance. Thanks to you, our GAAR members, we saw another incredible turnout from housing providers, REALTORS®, and industry partners.

And it made a difference.

The Committee voted Do Not Pass, stopping O-25-88 from advancing to the full Council.

GAAR President Chris Shain Tanner speaking at LUPZ Committee Meeting
2025 GAAR President Christopher Shain Tanner speaking at the LUPZ Committee Meeting

 
 Your Advocacy Was the Deciding Factor

This victory didn’t happen by accident. It was the result of:

  • Hundreds of REALTORS® answering Calls for Action and contacting City Council
  • GAAR Leadership, RECPAC, and the GAP Committee mobilizing quickly and strategically
  • Members showing up in person and online to testify about the real-world impact of this ordinance
  • From first-time commenters to seasoned advocates, your voices painted a clear picture: O-25-88 is unbalanced, overreaching, and would harm—not help—Albuquerque’s rental housing market.
  • And let's not forget City Councilors Brook Bassan, Renee Grout, and Dan Champine, who listened to community input, carefully evaluated the impacts of O-25-88, and ultimately voted against advancing the ordinance. Their willingness to hear all perspectives and act in the best interest of balanced housing policy is deeply appreciated.
What We’ve Been Fighting Against

Over the past two months, we broke the ordinance down piece-by-piece in our blog series, showing how it would:

  • Micromanage leases and strip away flexibility in agreements between landlords and tenants.
  • Allow tenants to hire contractors without landlord approval—opening the door to poor workmanship, inflated costs, and liens.
  • Expose landlord data to the public, raising privacy and safety concerns.
  • Shift enforcement power to City staff with limited oversight and weakened due process.
  • Exclude housing providers from policymaking, resulting in one-sided legislation.
  • Cap deposits and weaken pet policies, increasing risk of property damage.
  • Ban required renters insurance, leaving tenants and landlords financially exposed.
  • Impose unlimited relocation costs with vague triggers and mandatory payment before appeal.
This Win Is Significant – But the Issue Isn’t Gone

While O-25-88, as written, is now dead in committee, the underlying concepts behind it are not. City Councilors or advocacy groups could reintroduce similar measures—possibly under a new ordinance number, with revised language, or as part of a broader housing policy package.

That’s why GAAR will remain vigilant. We will continue monitoring upcoming agendas, policy proposals, and committee discussions to ensure our members are informed and prepared to respond quickly if any version of this ordinance reappears.

Your engagement in this process has made a difference—and it will be just as critical in the months ahead.

From GAAR Leadership to Every Member Who Spoke Out – Thank You

Your commitment, professionalism, and persistence made this victory possible. When we stand together, we can shape the future of housing in Albuquerque.

We’ll keep watching—and be ready—if this issue returns in any form.