Legislative Update

2 posts

Washington Rent Control Proposals

There are two bills being proposed in the Washington legislature that if enacted into law would impose strict rent controls in Washington. The proposals’ terms vary, but both would essentially peg rent increases to inflation, with a cap of seven percent. The bills are HB 1388 and HB 1389. HB 1389 has numerous provisions absent from HB 1388. Landlords could “bank” unused rent increase capacity if the landlord does not increase rent in a 12-month period. To preserve banked capacity the landlord would have to serve a statutory notice form and serve in the same formal legal manner as a […]

New Law Affects Tenant Screening

    Beginning June 07, 2012 Washington state residential landlords who charge a fee for background checks will face new requirements.[1]   The landlords will be required to disclose:   what types of information will be accessed to conduct the tenant screening; what criteria may result in the denial of the application; the name and address of the consumer reporting agency, if used; the prospective tenant’s right to obtain a free copy of the consumer report  in the event of an adverse action and to dispute the accuracy of information in the consumer report   This information must be provided […]