Rent Control Measures Will Be a Headache This Year And Beyond Real estate investors are keeping a watchful eye on rent control initiatives, especially in light of the November election results. Dive Deeper Into Rent Trends Holding Patterns Two closely watched municipalities where rent regulation remains on the radar after recent setbacks are: * Columbus, Ohio, which tried to use a loophole to pursue a ballot initiative until the state legislature shut the door. * North Las Vegas, where a culinary union collected signatures for a ballot initiative that was invalidated for technical reasons. 5 Election Wins to Watch O Los Angeles: Measure ULA enacts a 4 percent tax on the sale or transfer of properties valued at more than $5 million, and a 5.5 percent tax on the sale or transfer of properties valued at more than $10 million. (c) San Francisco: Proposition M (The Empty Homes Tax) is a tax on owners of units that are vacant for more than 182 days in a year. (c) Berkeley, Calif.: Measure M will compel owners to pay between $3,000 and $6,000 if their homes or apartments sit vacant for at least six months during the first year of the tax. O Portland, Maine: Question C limits rent increases to 70 percent of the consumer price index and expands renter protections, including a minimum 90-day notice of lease termination. (c) Orange County, Florida: A stabilization measure limits rent increases to the consumer price index for one year, although industry sources expect the measure to face legal challenges.