A rent-control bill limiting rent increases throughout Washington State has now passed both the Senate and House but with different amounts and conditions, according to reports.
The Senate passed HB 1217 most recently, with amendments, one to increase the rent cap from 7% during any 12 months to 10% plus the U.S. Consumer Price Index. This means if inflation is higher, landlords could increase rents by more than 10%.
The other amendments approved by the Senate set a 2045 expiration date for many provisions in the rent control bill and exempted some single-family homes.
The House and Senate will have to agree on the amendments before the bill goes to the governor for his approval.
The legislature is set to adjourn on April 27.
Supporters say the rent legislation would give predictability to tenants who could be forced out of their homes by steep hikes, while still giving room for landlords to impose increases.
“As everyone knows, housing is the single greatest cost in a household budget,” said Sen. Emily Alvarado, D-Seattle, to the Washington State Standard. “This bill is a simple guardrail for the many, many people in this state who just want to make sure that they can have a little bit of control in that household budget and plan and save.”
Opponents say the bill would drive developers out of Washington, hurting the state’s push to increase housing supply. And current landlords wouldn’t be able to keep up with inflationary costs for maintenance, they believe.
Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, pointed to another proposal from Senate Democrats to allow an increase in annual property tax from the current 1% cap. “I have a real fear for our housing market at large over time should both of those policies come to fruition,” Gildon told the Washington State Standard.
