In a major win for property rights and housing providers, the Albuquerque City Council’s Land Use, Planning, and Zoning (LUPZ) Committee struck down Ordinance O-25-88 in a tight 3–2 vote. The proposed RENT ordinance—crafted largely without input from housing providers—was widely criticized for its one-sided approach, excessive regulations, and potential to destabilize the local rental market.
REALTORS® and industry allies mobilized quickly, calling attention to the ordinance’s legal and financial pitfalls, and the glaring lack of stakeholder representation in its development.
The result?
More than 400 GAAR members and countless partners sprang into action, amplifying the voice of property owners through testimony, outreach, and a rapid-response second Call for Action.
Because of your unwavering engagement, several Council Members ultimately chose not to bring O-25-88 back to the full City Council on Monday, June 16th—acknowledging they did not have the votes to advance it. However, since they did not officially mention the ordinance during LUPZ committee report, it remains technically alive in the LUPZ Committee.
That means we could face the same proposal again as soon as the next LUPZ meeting on August 16th.
"This victory proves what’s possible when our members speak up and show up the way we did last week," said GAAR President Christopher Shain Tanner. "Grassroots advocacy works. By contacting City Council and standing united, we didn’t just stop a bad ordinance—we reminded our city leaders that housing policy must work for everyone, not just one side of the equation."
While this round is over, the fight may not be.
City officials have made it clear: some version of the RENT ordinance will return. When it does, we’ll be ready—not just to oppose, but to collaborate.
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