Seattle residential landlords are required to register all rental units with the City of Seattle through the Department of Constructions and Inspections. [Please note these links take you out of our website to the City of Seattle’s website.]
The landlord must renew the rental property registration every five years. When a rental property is sold the new owner must register within 60 days of closing. If there are multiple owners, an updated registration must be filed when more than 50% of the ownership changes.
The City of Seattle randomly selects rental properties for inspection. Each rental property is to be inspected at least once every ten years. Rental units are not inspected more than once in five years, unless the City determines the certificate of compliance was not valid or the property no longer meets rental housing standards.
A landlord may use a private qualified rental housing inspector. Private qualified rental housing inspectors must be registered with the City of Seattle.
A landlord who fails to comply may be subject to various civil penalties. These may include a cumulative civil penalty of $150 per day for the first ten days the violation or failure to comply exists, and $500 per day for each day thereafter. Knowingly submitting a falsified certificate of compliance may subject the landlord to up to $5,000 in additional penalties.
A landlord who has not registered a residential rental property may not evict a tenant until the property is registered.