OLYMPIA – A bill designed to make finding a home a little easier and less financially stressful cleared the House of Representatives today. The Fair Tenant Screening Act, HB 1257 sponsored by Rep. Brady Walkinshaw (D-Seattle) establishes a system that allows renters to purchase a single comprehensive tenant screening report that can be used for multiple housing applications within a 30-day period.
Currently landlords are allowed to charge for each tenant screening report, which often contain the same information. Walkinshaw’s bill would ensure renters are only charged once for a screening report (within a 30-day period), which would be available to all potential landlords. By ensuring that tenants have access to portable reports, the legislation builds on many examples in other sectors where portability creates positive long-term results for consumers.
“Housing is a basic human need,” said Walkinshaw. “As lawmakers, it’s our jobs to ensure fairness and equality when it comes to basic human needs. There are also many examples from other sectors, from consumer electronics to human services, where ensuring portability is good for consumers.”
“These kinds of repeated housing fees are another example of the growing economic inequality,” said Walkinshaw. “Tenant report fees can cost families hundreds of dollars each year. The Fair Tenant Screening Act is a reasonable response that will reduce a financial burden on many low-income and middle-class families.“
The bill now goes to the Senate for further consideration.