OLYMPIA – The Washington State House of Representatives took a consequential step to protect renters on Monday by passing the rent stabilization bill and sending it to the Senate. House Bill 1217 is designed to bring stability and predictability to a rental market that has been escalating at an unsustainable rate.
“We’ve heard from renters across the state, from those living in manufactured home communities to apartment dwellers,” said Rep. Nicole Macri, D-Seattle, who sponsored the bill. “Each renter has told us the same thing; they are scared that they will be priced out of their homes and into homelessness. They want predictability and reasonable limits on rental hikes so they can stay in their homes and communities.”
The negotiated version of the bill has some key provisions in it that support renters while allowing landlords options to avoid legal action if a mistake is made. These provisions include:
- A maximum annual rent increase of 7 percent for all manufactured home tenants and residential tenants who are remaining in their current unit.
- Exemptions for new construction that is less than 12 years old.
- An opportunity for landlords to fix a mistake, allowing them to avoid legal action.
- Limits on late fees, security deposits and move in fees for manufactured home tenants.
“People may not realize just how disruptive large rent hikes are, not only to families, but to our communities. Kids are uprooted from schools. Families and seniors are forced out of their communities and support networks,” continued Macri. “Small businesses see less spending when residents don’t have disposable income. Burdened by high rents, families are not able to put money aside to buy their first homes. The current market isn’t working for the majority of Washingtonians, and I am proud that the House has sent this to the Senate for the second year in a row. I look forward to working with the Senate to get this to the governor’s desk.”
The House sent similar legislation to the Senate last year, but it stalled in the Ways & Means Committee. There appears to be more momentum for this year’s bill to find success in the Senate.