All Seattle residential rent increases require 180 days’ notice and must have specific, mandated right-to-counsel language.
If the rent increase is over ten percent or is so cumulatively with other increases in the previous twelve months, additional requirements apply.
The landlord must also serve a notice form required by the City of Seattle regarding the Economic Displacement and Relocation Assistance (EDRA) law. The notice of rent increase and EDRA notice must be served either personally or by both regular and first-class mail.
Low-income tenants who vacate the rental, or give notice of their intent to vacate, may be eligible for relocation assistance of three months’ rent. The City will pay the tenant, and the owner must reimburse the City. The owner may appeal the decision to approve relocation assistance or the calculation of the amount due. The owner may seek a refund from the City if the tenant rescinds the notice to vacate, or fails to vacate.
The City may issue citations for violations of the EDRA law. Penalties include $1,000 for the first violation and $2,000 for each subsequent violation within a five-year period.