Washington State Court hears constitutional challenge to Washington’s rent control/rent cap law by manufactured housing park owners.
By Aaron Kirk Douglas
Spokane County Superior Court heard arguments July 22 in a lawsuit by manufactured housing park owners challenging Washington’s rent control/rent stabilization law, House Bill 1217.
The law caps increases at 7% plus inflation up to 10% for most rentals but just 5% for manufactured home lots.
Plaintiffs argue the cap is unconstitutional and lacks hardship exemptions. The attorney general’s office says it has already entered 57 court-filed resolutions with landlords over alleged violations. About 260,000 manufactured homes make up 8% of the state’s housing stock.
The case is the most direct legal test of HB 1217 so far. A ruling on the 5% manufactured housing cap could shape challenges to the broader law. Owners in Washington should keep documenting compliance, since enforcement is clearly active.
About the author:
HFO Research (Aaron Kirk Douglas) from HFO Investment Real Estate’s Multifamily Marketwatch YouTube podcast, hosted by partner Greg Frick. Aaron Kirk Douglas is director of market intelligence for HFO Investment Real Estate In Portland.
