Kansas Bans Local Rent Control

K.S.A. 12-16,120 expressly preempts local rent regulation, stating that "no political subdivision of this state, including, but not limited to, a county, municipality or township, shall enact, maintain or enforce any ordinance or resolution that would have the effect of controlling the amount of rent charged" for privately owned residential property. The statute, enacted in 2001 and amended in 2016, leaves narrow exceptions: a subdivision may control rents on property it owns, and property owners may voluntarily agree to rent limits in exchange for grants or incentives. Kansas sets no statewide cap on how much a landlord may raise rent, so increases are governed by the lease terms and required notice rather than any percentage limit.

A local rent-control ordinance would be void as preempted by K.S.A. 12-16,120; courts will not enforce it, and a city or county adopting one exceeds its authority.