Councilors Vow to Fight for Fair Rental Practices
Failed ordinance would have required landlords to provide a fee-free method for paying rent.
Last night, the “Rental Practices Ordinance”, O-25-102, failed on a 4-5 vote in the Albuquerque City Council. City Councilors Stephanie Telles, Joaquín Baca, Nichole Rogers, and Tammy Fiebelkorn voted in favor of the measure. The legislation aimed to codify critical state-level tenant protections into municipal code and would have required landlords to provide a fee-free method for paying rent.
“Last night’s outcome was nothing short of devastating,” said Councilor Nichole L. Rogers, the sponsor of the ordinance. “We had a clear opportunity to bring our city code in line with state law and offer desperately needed relief to families struggling with the cost of housing across our city. I want to be clear that we will continue to fight for families and workers in Albuquerque because we hear you, times are tough and this moment calls for transparency in rental fees and protection from junk charges. Our families and workers cannot wait while predatory practices run rampant, and inactivity from this Council is not an answer.”
“The Council’s failure to pass the “Rental Practices Ordinance” was a complete betrayal to Albuquerque families and workers,” said Councilor Stephanie Telles. “We heard every excuse last night, from requests to delay the vote to questions about having the state takeover enforcement, but in the end, they were all excuses. The reality is that Albuquerque families and workers can’t get by on excuses. They are dealing with predatory practices and need transparency in rental fees and protection from junk charges. This is not over, and I am committed to continuing to fight for Fair Rental Practices for every Burqueño across our city.”
"The City of Albuquerque has a fundamental responsibility to protect its residents, especially when they're being squeezed by hidden fees and predatory practices," said Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn. "Without local enforcement, renters have rights on paper but no real recourse. Last night's vote leaves thousands of families vulnerable to practices that should be illegal. We can and must do better."
The failure of the ordinance leaves a significant gap in local enforcement. While New Mexico Senate Bill 267 (2025) established new statewide rights—such as capping screening fees at $50 and limiting late fees—the City’s Code Enforcement Division remains unable to enforce these provisions without local adoption. Furthermore, the rejection of O-25-102 denies Albuquerque renters the specific local protection of a guaranteed fee-free payment option, forcing many to continue paying unnecessary transaction fees just to pay their rent.
The rejected ordinance would have:
- Empowered Local Enforcement: Authorized the City’s Planning and Legal Departments to actively enforce tenant protections, rather than leaving residents to navigate the court system alone.
- Eliminated "Pay-to-Pay" Fees: Required owners to offer at least one rental payment method that does not incur a transaction fee.
- Enforced Transparency: Mandated the upfront disclosure of all rental costs and junk fees in listings.
- Protected Applicants: Capped screening fees at $50 and required refunds if a background check was not actually performed.
Councilors Stephanie Telles, Joaquín Baca, Nichole Rogers, and Tammy Fiebelkorn are committed to continuing their work to bring Fair Rental Practices to Albuquerque and will continue to work with community to make this a reality.