The Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act has been a bedrock component of tenant rights in the District since 1980 and its future is at risk. Last Thursday, I introduced common sense reforms to streamline and modernize TOPA.

TOPA remains as important today as it was when it was created 45 years ago. But it’s often used as a scapegoat in conversations about housing production. The fact is that we can balance the needs of housing investors and tenants with updates to the law that meet the current moment.

My legislation, the Common Sense TOPA Reform Amendment Act of 2025, would expedite transaction timelines, create consequences for bad actors who slow down the process or mislead tenants, and give tenants earlier access to information about their rights and options and connect them to tenant support organizations.

In short, it streamlines the process, which is good for owners, investors, and residents.

In case you saw it in the Washington Business Journal (paywall) or The 51^st, I wanted you to have all the background.

Learn more about my Common Sense TOPA Reform legislation, including key points, the full press release, bill text, and other resources.

Councilmember Nadeau speaks about TOPA