While both tenants and property owners maintain that they are still unsatisfied, most admit that the report contains the first steps necessary for a compromise.

Terry Morris, executive director of the Rent Control Board--the city body which makes all rulings on rent increases and other tenant-landlord disputes--said that while he doesn't support all of the points of the proposal, he does sense that the situation will be resolved in the near future.

"I'm most encouraged by the cooperative tone of the report," Morris said.

Myers said public testimony on the report will be considered at the subcommittee meeting on March 19, and a revised proposal will be brought before the City Council on March 25.

"I just hope the report has some significant impact on Cambridge's rent control system," Ford said. "Most of the recommendations seem to have a lot of support amongst council members, so at worst it should convince everyone that some changes must be made. At least it's a start in the right direction."

The study recommended that the Rent Control Board:

1--Review rents annually.

2--Set a cap of 30 percent on rent increases over a two year period.

3--Charge a two to five percent fee on rent control tenants to create a fund for repairing deteriorating rent-controlled buildings.

4--Revamp Cambridge's housing code inspection and enforcement efforts.

5--Survey all of the city's rent-controlled buildings within two years.

6--Pre-approve non-controversial improvements to rent-controlled buildings.

7--Resolve all disputes involving small landlords within 90 days.

8--Process eviction cases within 45 days, unless the tenant files a defense.

9--Create an experimental mediation program for landlord-tenant disputes.