A rent-control bill limiting rent increases throughout Washington State has now passed both the Senate and House and goes to the governor for signature, according to reports.
The final version was a compromise after moderate Democrats in the Senate wouldn’t go along with the initial 7% cap, without inflation, the House had approved.
Landlords also couldn’t raise rents in the first year of a tenancy under the proposed law. If a landlord violates the provisions, tenants or the state attorney general could bring litigation.
Buildings owned by nonprofits or public housing authorities would be exempt from the limits. The same goes for duplexes, triplexes or fourplexes if the owner lives in one of the units, as well as new construction for its first dozen years.
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.
The bill contains an emergency clause. If enacted, the provisions will take effect immediately.
