Housing Rent increase cap approved by Washington House

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

A bill to cap yearly rent increases cleared the Washington state House on Monday following a spirited debate on whether such limits will bring greater security for tenants or higher prices and fewer options for those in need of housing

House Bill 1217 would prohibit landlords from raising a residential tenant’s rent and fees more than 7% in any 12-month period or by any amount during the first year after the tenancy begins.

It would also require landlords to give 90 days’ notice before any rent increase takes effect and would bar them from charging more than a 5% difference in rent for similar leased units.

There are several exceptions to the cap, including buildings operated by nonprofits and residential construction that is 12 years old or less. Rent increase limits would not apply for tenants of triplexes and fourplexes if the owner lives in one of the units.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/03/10/rent-increase-cap-approved-by-washington-house/

[regnaD kciN]

1. How times have changed in the Evergreen State...

Fifty years ago, Seattle tried passing a rent control bill. It failed, but the (then-)Republican-controlled state government made sure there wouldn’t be a second time by passing a law banning rent control statewide. Now, it’s the state government itself that’s trying to give us a degree of rent control. I guess it’s not surprising, considering that it now costs over $2,000/month to get a studio apartment in Seattle.