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3/27/2026
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Sen. Raptakis proposal prohibits property tax increases if rent control is adopted
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STATE HOUSE – Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis has introduced legislation that would prohibit municipalities from increasing property taxes on any affected properties if a rent control ordinance is established.
“Rent control as a government policy has been proven time and time again to be a failure. We should learn from history because it was a disaster in the 1970’s when President Nixon attempted it and the same result is currently happening across the country in cities that were foolish enough to institute it,” said Senator Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich). “With the Providence City Council on the verge of making the same costly mistake, this bill is necessary to protect the rights of property owners, as well as the fragile housing market, that will be negatively affected by this fool-hardy proposal.”
The legislation (2026-S 2703) would prohibit cities or towns that implement a rent control ordinance from increasing property tax rates or reassessing property values on affected rental units for as long as the ordinance limiting rental increases remains in effect.
“It’s been well-documented that rent control policies remove much-needed rental units from the market. Rent control cancels necessary repairs to units and could push property owners to instead convert rental units to condominiums for sale. Insurance costs do not freeze under rent control. Repair costs are not capped under rent control. Utility costs do not stop increasing under rent control. If a property owner is stopped from charging a fair market value for their unit, then the least we can do is freeze the always growing property tax costs that are also associated with that unit. I would advise all our municipalities to abandon any notion of rent control, but if they should choose to move ahead, know that I will be advocating for this fair and simple trade-off to ensure that property owners are also taken into consideration with rising daily costs,” concluded Senator Raptakis.
The bill has been cosponsored by Sens. John P. Burke (D-Dist. 9, West Warwick), David P. Tikoian (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Providence, Lincoln), Todd M. Patalano (D-Dist. 26, Cranston), Stefano V. Famiglietti (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence), Brian J. Thompson (D-Dist. 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland), Gordon E. Rogers (R-Dist. 21, Foster, Coventry, Scituate, West Greenwich), Andrew R. Dimitri (D-Dist. 25, Johnston), Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) and Jessica de la Cruz (R-Dist. 23, North Smithfield, Burrillville, Glocester). Rep. Paul Santucci (R-Dist. 53, Smithfield, Glocester) has introduced the legislation (2026-H 8035) in the House.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Housing and Municipal Government Committee.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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