Advocacy

While RHAWA was successful in defeating several anti-housing providers bills this session, we were stymied in our efforts in seeking needed reforms...

What a wild ride it was during the short legislative session in Olympia this year!Thanks to the involvement of over 1,000 RHAWA members emailing...

Over the past several years we have seen rental property owners, rental property managers, and us here at RHAWA, moving away from the use of the...

RHAWA is working hard to keep track of the ever-changing landscape of rental housing regulation in various jurisdictions across Washington State....

The rent control and rent “stabilization” policies are often advanced and supported by tenant advocacy groups Non-Governmental...

As the state winds down from the frenzy that was the 2024 Legislative Session in Olympia, we move our eyes to more local jurisdictions for the...

Olympia, WA – On the last day and the last minute of the midway point for the 2024 Washington State Legislative session the Speaker of the...

Just as every new year starts and the holiday season comes to a close, you can be sure that another Washington Legislative Session is here....

• Frustration with city regulations is cited as a major concern.• Nearly 7,000 single-family rentals homes are no longer on the...

The importance of getting involved in state legislative sessions cannot be overstated, as it serves as a cornerstone for active citizenship and...

RHAWA is working hard to keep track of the ever-changing landscape of rental housing regulation in various jurisdictions across Washington State....

Once again small housing providers are in the crosshairs by the progressive Democrats in Olympia who do not seem to understand how they are killing...

A recently released “study” by a sociology professor at the University of Washington claims that “the Seattle rental housing...

RHAWA is working hard to keep track of the ever-changing landscape of rental housing regulation in various jurisdictions across Washington State....

The RHAWA government affairs team has been working over the past several months listening to members, tracking local jurisdictions, talking to...

Those subject to the residential rental code in the City of Tacoma are reeling with the city council-approved ordinance taking effect in July and...

Some of our readers may have seen the news stories as of late about eviction filings in King County being nearly double in October what they were in...

ordinance NO. 996 now effective in shoreline Ordinance NO. 996 effective 12/19/2023 creates additional resident rights in the City of Shoreline....

If you have been paying even a little attention to Seattle media over the last two months, you will have heard of Jason Roth, more commonly known...

With the leaves falling and days growing shorter, this is our signal the Washington State Legislature will soon be in session and the battle over...

With the passage of Tacoma Measure 1 expect a full-out frontal assault aimed at Olympia and small rental housing providers this winter. Armed by...

BellinghamOn November 6, 2023, voters in Bellingham approved a new tenant protection measure put forth by a group calling themselves Community First...

The 2024 Legislative Session begins on January 9, 2024, which is just around the corner. We hope you are looking forward to joining our events and...

As the External Affairs Manager for RHAWA one of my new and exciting responsibilities has been to launch our new Podcast, Housing Matters. With the...

Tacoma Measure 1 will make it more difficult to evict a dangerous, destructive, or disruptive tenant and one provision even prohibits the eviction...

RHAWA's Ongoing Fight Against Tacoma Measure 1, King County + the US Supreme Court Tacoma Measure OneRHAWA’s Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is...

As some of you are probably aware, there was a bill passed in this most recent legislative session that could have a massive impact on housing in...

On October 7 RHAWA partnered with DHM Research—a non-partisan public opinion research firm—to conduct two focus groups of Tacoma...

So, what is relocation assistance? Relocation assistance in basic terms says that if a property provider raises rent a certain amount year-over-year...

Tacoma, WA - The Rental Housing Association of Washington (RHAWA) put the call out to its 5,000 members in Tacoma and across the state to help...

RHAWA is pleased to announce that on Tuesday, August 1, the Seattle City Council voted NO on Councilmember Sawant's harmful rent control...

RHAWA is always closely watching developments in the Seattle City Council, particularly Councilmember Sawant’s efforts to establish a...

Legislative Session is almost over, but your RHAWA Government Affairs team is still hard at work fighting to maintain your rights as small housing...

On Tuesday, March 21st, the 9th Circuit Court ruled that Seattle's prohibition on using criminal background checks for housing did not meet the...

With Legislative Session still underway, your RHAWA Government Affairs team is hard at work fighting to maintain your rights as small housing...

It’s been a while since you’ve heard from the Partnership for Affordable Housing (PAH), but rest assured, the PAH team has been hard at...

Update On Rent Control Bills Priority Bills in the Legislature in 2023 As Legislative session in Olympia nears the policy committee cutoff on...

HB 1817 Establishing a housing gap voucher pilot program Bill Summary Creates rental assistance vouchers through housing authorities for residents...

SB 5707 Establishing a housing court pilot program Bill Summary Creates a new Housing Court Pilot Program inside District Court for counties in...

SB 5741 Establishing a housing gap voucher pilot program Bill Summary Creates rental assistance vouchers through housing authorities for residents...

SB 5697 Authorizing the utilities and transportation commission to regulate the rates and services of all persons engaging in the business of acting...

HB 1628 Increasing the supply of Affordable Housing by Modifying the State and Local Real Estate Excise Tax. Bill Summary The portion of the...

SB 5435 Protecting Tenants By Prohibiting Predatory Residential Rent Practices And By Applying The Consumer Protection Act To The Residential...

HB 1388 Protecting tenants by prohibiting predatory residential rent practices and by applying the consumer protection act to the residential...

HB 1389 Concerning residential rent increases under the residential landlord-tenant act and the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant...

SB 5197 Addressing landlord-tenant relations by providing technical changes to eviction notice forms and modifying certain eviction...

HB 1129

HB 1124 Protecting tenants from excessive rent and related fees by providing at least six months' notice for rent increases over a certain amount,...

HB 1074 Addressing documentation and processes governing landlords' claims for damage to residential premises. A landlord may not withhold a...

SB 5060 Requiring the registration of rental and vacant housing units. Bill Summary The Department of Commerce (Commerce) must create and...

The 2023 Legislative Session begins on January 9, 2023, which is just around the corner. We are looking forward to YOU joining our events and...

Several RHAWA forms have been revised as of 12/13/2022 based on the outcome of Sherwood Auburn v. Pinzon, a case related to a tenant receiving two...

With the constant onslaught of new rental housing regulations, the most common question I get asked is, “isn’t this...

RHAWA’s Legal Defense Fund (LDF) has had to increase its focus on legal battles in order to protect the rights of housing providers. In the...

The City of Burien met on October 24, 2022 to discuss a suite of rental regulations that go far beyond the harmful policies recommended by A...

As many of you are aware, A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH) has proposed a suite of tenant protections to several cities throughout Washington...

On Monday, October 3, 2022, Port Townsend City Council had the first reading of Ordinance 3296, requiring increase notice periods for rent...

In the Newcastle City Council meeting on September 20, 2022, following a long period of testimony and discussion, the City Council voted not to...

As the day of the general election quickly approaches, lets take a quick look back to the last two years of legislative changes. For those who do...

Ordinance No. 2986, effective October 6, 2022 creates additional housing provider restrictions in the City of Issaquah, including: Extended Rent...

The recommendations from A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH) continue to be a major topic of discussion among King County cities. Redmond and...

As RHAWA’s Grassroots Organizer, I am consistently interacting with our membership to get a better idea of how RHAWA can assist them in...

As I sift through the mountain of data that I collect every 6 months, I look for trends that have developed or any outlying numbers that catch my...

Since the ARCH letter in April, several King County cities have been discussing and moving to pass the regulations recommended in the letter....

As of writing this, primary election day has passed. While we have yet to get the certified results, which will be done on August 16, lets take a...

As many of you are aware, the 2022 election is critical to the future of housing. Every House of Representative and half the Senate seats are up for...

As many of our members are aware, Representative Andrew Barkis is a champion for rental housing providers in Olympia. To show our gratitude, we...

The Seattle City Council met on July 5 to vote once again on CB 120325 that would've required housing providers to disclose vacancy status and rent...

The COVID emergency resulted in some of the most damaging rental housing policy proposals in recent memory. At times it has seemed like the tsunami...

Combating new rental housing regulations in Washington has proven to be an uphill battle for housing providers in recent years. While there are...

Dispute Resolution Centers (DRCs) across the state are tasked with handling mediation between housing providers and residents when issues with lease...

According to the latest data from Seattle’s Rental Property Registration database, Seattle continues to experience an extreme decline in...

The City of Kenmore has followed King County and passed a new set of housing provider regulations. The city held a study session in late February to...

At the beginning of covid, the City of Seattle passed a 6 month post moratorium eviction ban and a winter eviction ban. RHAWA challenged the...

According to the latest data from Seattle’s Rental Property Registration database, Seattle continues to experience a decline in rental housing...

Seattle City Council met today to discuss a Council resolution that had been proposed by Councilmember Sawant. It was proposed in response to Mayor...

This year's legislative session has been one of the most successful legislative sessions in recent years. Thanks to your advocacy, we were able to...

The 2022 Legislative Session is nearly halfway done already. As the fight to defend housing provider's rights continues, we need to look both into...

Bill Summary Allows a tenant to sue the housing provider if they: Violate any provision of RCW 59.18 or RCW 59.20 Engaged in "Unfair, deceptive or...

Bill Summary Prohibits a housing provider from advertising or operating their rental as "crime free" Prohibits a housing provider from requesting...

Bill Summary Requires housing providers to give between 180 and 220 days notice for all rent increases over 3% The bill specifies the increase...

Bill Summary Authorizes cities and counties to create an affordable housing incentive program for housing rented at below market level. Multifamily...

VIEW SSB 5079 Bill Summary Requires manufactured/mobile home community (MHC) landlords to provide tenants with three years' notice before...

VIEW SHB 1100 Bill Summary Requires landlords to provide written notices of opportunity to purchase with respect to the sale or lease of a...

Bill Summary Requires housing providers to provide a written checklist to the tenant in order to collect a security deposit Redefines the items on...

Housing Policy Preview: A look ahead to the 2022 legislative session Last year, when Washington state lawmakers convened for a historic 2021...

Bill Summary Allows housing providers to apply for the Landlord Mitigation Fund for damage to the unit if their tenant vacated after being a...

This year, for the 2021 Legislative Session, RHA organized the Rental Housing Coalition: a partnership of housing providers, associations, and...

Seattle's population grew by about 50,000 people between July 2018 and May 2021, but the city saw a net loss of 785 rental properties according to...

On February 29, 2020 Governor Inslee announced a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 18, 2020 that became the basis for the...

Governor Inslee’s eviction “Bridge” is scheduled to end on October 31. It succeeded only in providing cover for slow-moving rental...

In SDCI's Annual RRIO Report delivered to the Seattle City Council, they announced that the number of rental properties registered in Seattle has...

For your general information, today, Tuesday, September 21 Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan announced an extension of the Seattle’s eviction...

The 2021 legislative session was hectic, to say the least. The lawmakers scrambled to address the rising debt stemming from the COVID pandemic and...

"If a tenant self-certifies financial hardship, Part A of CEEFPA generally precludes a landlord from contesting that certification and denies the...

Governor Inslee has once again decided to extend the statewide eviction moratorium. However, this extension is not an exact copy of the previous...

We are happy that despite a rocky start, councilmembers and specifically the sponsors of the ordinance were willing to meet with RHAWA staff,...

On Thursday, June 24 Governor Inslee held a press conference to give an update on the state's ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to...

Today the US Supreme Court issued their ruling in the only property takings case of this term, confirming the right to exclude is a fundamental...

On behalf of the rental housing industry, we offer our deepest gratitude to all Washington housing providers for stepping up and carrying a...

Cheap leadership by Councilmembers Kohl-Welles, Zahilay, and McDermott. Today during a King County council meeting on Ordinance 2021-0131, CM...

On June 7th, the Seattle City Council passed CB 120046, CB 120077, and CB 120090. The summaries of the proposed ordinances are below. CB 120046 -...

With the passage of HB 1236, by default, every tenancy in Washington is now subject to a for-cause termination requirement. Unlike Seattle’s...

Councilmember Kshama Sawant recently proposed an extended ban on evictions pegged to the school year. This is the latest idea purportedly meant to...

Since the start of COVID-19, the number of housing providers selling or occupying their rental properties in Washington state has increased...

The hectic 2021 virtual legislative session has finally come to an end. We must now take a step back and take a look at the plethora of bills that...

2020 was a difficult year for housing providers and tenants alike. Housing providers operations were severely limited with the Governor’s...

This week, RHAWA filed a notice of appeal in our case challenging Seattle’s Post-Emergency Eviction Ban and Winter Eviction Ban. These are two...

This year, King County residents will face property tax increases of up to 4 percent on average – and some areas may see even greater...

VIEW HB 1496 Bill Summary HB 1496 would impose a 7 percent tax on capital gains for the sale of real property, with the exception of a primary...

Addressing landlord-tenant relations by providing certain tenant protections during and after public health emergencies, providing for legal...

VIEW HB 1441 Bill Summary Prevents a housing provider from using unpaid rent or an eviction that occurred during any state or federal covid...

Addressing documentation and processes governing landlords' claims for damage to residential premises.

Concerning property tax deferral during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Protecting residential tenants from the beginning to end of their tenancies by penalizing the inclusion of unlawful lease provisions and limiting...

VIEW SHB 1277 Bill Summary Establishes a $100 surcharge on recorded documents to fund various housing services. Creates the Eviction Prevention...

Limiting rent increases after expiration of the governor's eviction moratorium.

VIEW HB 1228 Bill Summary Landlords may immediately file unlawful detainer actions following effective date 30 days after effective...

Concerning relocation assistance for tenants of closed or converted manufactured/mobile home parks.

Concerning the sale or lease of manufactured/mobile home communities and the property on which they sit.

Extending the closure notice period for manufactured/mobile home communities.

Providing local governments with options to grant rent relief and preserve affordable housing in their communities.

After enduring twelve months of emergency eviction bans from the Governor, the State Legislature is now poised to create new eviction ban policies...

RHAWA industry partners and fellow small landlords addressed the Senate Housing Stability and Affordability and Financial Institutions, Economic...

The good news is over $100 million in rental assistance is making its way to Washington counties as part of the CARES Act. The bad news is onerous...

COVID-19 and the economic fallout of shutdown orders, social distancing, and job losses have affected everyone. Rental housing providers have been...

Our industry’s livelihood as rental owners, operators, and managers face an unprecedented challenge as the COVID crisis and our State’s...

Rental assistance funds for residents and housing providers impacted by COVID-19 are being made available as part of local CARES Act relief funding....

Proposed Laws in Auburn Add to Housing Woes Amidst COVID-19 Uncertainty A sweeping package of restrictive new housing laws is sailing through the...

The political climate for protecting housing providers has never been more daunting. Almost every sector of normal life has been disrupted by...

The 2020 state legislative session ended in March, and with it came substantial changes to several components of landlord-tenant law. Below is a...

Governor Inslee announced on 6/2/2020 an extension of the evictions ban in place across the state through August 1, 2020. The order extends prior...

We are quickly approaching a moment that will significantly test the resiliency of our housing system amidst COVID-19 and historic unemployment....

Seattle City Council recently passed legislation enacting a 6-month ban on evictions after the Governor’s COVID emergency order, currently set...

On Thursday evening, April 16, Governor Inslee updated and expanded his ban on eviction for all housing providers in the state. The new order now...

COVID-19 represents a complete shock to Washington’s vital systems, infrastructure, and institutions. The virus is testing our world-class...

Emergency legislation would substantially expand existing short-term rental assistance for Americans impacted by COVID-19. Tacoma, WA –...

In the last two years there has been a dizzying amount of discussion about eviction, termination, homelessness, relocation assistance, and many...

The Washington State Legislature is entering a new phase of the legislative process as it moves rapidly towards concluding its 60-day session. The...

On February 10, the Seattle City Council took the unprecedented step of banning eviction for “Winter Months”. While there were many...

An interesting op-ed ran last week in The Lens focused on the risks which Just Cause laws pose to neighbors and other risks, from the perspective of...

STATEWIDE MANDATORY LEASE RENEWAL BILL - JUST CAUSE APPLIED TO FIXED TERM LEASES! On Friday, January 24, the House of Representatives will hold...

On January 13, RHAWA’s government affairs team began again the critical venture of advocating on behalf of private housing providers at the...

Nobody should be without a safe place to stay during the winter – or any time of year. Evictions are a last resort for housing providers...

For most small housing providers, the policies passed by our state legislature in 2019 felt like an assault on the very idea of rental property...

Earlier this morning, the State Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Seattle’s “First in Time” (FIT) ordinance, previously thrown...

What is abundantly clear from the 2019 General election is that the issues the rental industry faced in the City of Seattle prior to the election...

As we face the final days of 2019, there is little doubt RHAWA has endured the heaviest number of regulatory attacks in decades. The drastic...

RHAWA endorsed candidates in several jurisdictions throughout the state. This list may be found here. RHAWA's PAC didn’t weigh in on Seattle...

According to EvictionLab.org, Washington’s eviction rate has continued to fall from its 2005 peak of 1.45% to 0.82% in 2016, the latest year...

Stable Homes Federal Way Initiative 19-001, submitted by Washington Community Action Network (Washington CAN), will be a ballot measure on the...

On average, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 9 men experience some form of domestic violence at the hands of an intimate partner in America. Here in Washington...

An article which appeared in last Saturday’s Tacoma News Tribune highlighting new landlord-tenant laws included several assertions by tenant...

On August 1, a King County judge ruled that an initiative which seeks to create a “just cause” ordinance in the city of Federal Way...

Effective July 28, 2019, several new landlord-tenant laws took effect which have a direct impact on how rental owners manage their properties and...

The passage of SB 5600, HB 1138, HB 1440, and HB 1462 made permanent changes to Washington State's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA) and will...

While many homeowners are set to benefit from legislation which revises how excise taxes are charged for real estate transactions, the new,...

The Seattle City Council continues to propose new legislation and amend existing landlord-tenant laws under the premise of addressing housing...

April 28 brought the 2019 legislative session to a close. After 105 days in session, lawmakers, staffers, and lobbyists alike were ready for sine...

RHAWA Advocacy Team The rental housing industry is faced with a broad political coalition that has been forming throughout the Puget Sound to...

We are smack in the middle of the most contentious legislative session for landlords that the state has seen in nearly 40 years. Dozens of...

Heather Pierce | Deputy Director of Government Affairs Washington State legislators are already hearing bills that would drastically alter the RLTA...

On December 3, 2018 the Renton City Council held a first reading of Ordinance 5913 or RMC 4.5.125, the Residential Rental Registration and...

Heather Pierce | Deputy Director of Government Affairs Tuesday night, Tacoma City Council passed several new rental housing regulations which...

RHAWA Member Turnout is Crucial for Landlord Voices to be Heard in Burien City Council Meetings Heather Pierce | Deputy Director of Government...

The statewide Source of Income Discrimination law is now in effect with the enforcement period having commenced on September 30, 2018. This new...

On Tuesday, July 24, a group of UW researchers briefed Seattle City Council’s Human Services, Equitable Development, and Renter Rights...

PRESS RELEASEContact:Heather Pierce(206) 905-0611 | hpierce@RHAwa.orgRHAwa.org Seattle, WA – July 24, 2018 – A group of researchers...

Tenant rights advocates have been fighting landlords through legislation in Seattle for 40 years. This city has many aging buildings and has been...

PRESS RELEASEFor Immediate ReleaseContact:Sean Martin(206) 905-0609 | smartin@RHAwa.orgRHAwa.org Rentberry and Seattle landlord file suit over...

Yesterday, RHAWA transmitted the following letter to Seattle City Council and the Mayor stating our opposition to the proposed head tax for funding...

Lawsuit against Seattle’s “Prohibiting Criminal Background Screening” Ordinance filed May 1 Seattle, WA – Pacific Legal...

​In the summer of 2016, Washington politicos spent their days obsessed with a special election State Senate race in the 44th legislative district....

William Shadbolt | RHAWA Board PresidentEdited by Sean Flynn | RHAWA Board Past PresidentOn Friday, February 23, Judge Suzanne Parisien...

Today, Friday February 2nd is the official cutoff for most bills in the legislature. Any bill that does not have effect the state’s budget...

Call to Action!​ Senate Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee to hear Rent Control bill on Tues, Jan. 30 @ 8 am On Tuesday, January 30 @...

Next Tuesday, January 23 @ 10 am, the House Judiciary Committee will hear HB 2583 which would end the State's ban on rent control and allow cities...

If government can strip you of choice just because unconscious bias might influence that choice, its power would have no bounds. But that is...

On May 30, 2017, the Rental Housing Association of Washington filed a lawsuit against the City of Seattle’s Move-in Fee Ordinance. We argue in...

January 31st is one of the most important days of the year for RHAWA members, and one of the best opportunities for you to affect policies made that...

Stanford University researchers recently published a new study on the impacts and effects of San Francisco’s rent control policies and the...

Having a tenancy end badly is something no one wants to have in their rental business. However, it is a reality in the life of a rental property...

October 20, 2017 Councilmember Mike O’BrienPO Box 34025Seattle, WA 98124-4025 Re: ADU/DADU legislation Dear Councilmember O’Brien, The...

Tenant screening laws are rapidly evolving in Washington State, in particular when dealing with criminal records and how to consider an...

Thank you for writing to me about the Fair Chance Housing Legislation. This legislation will not go into effect until 150 days after the Mayor...

Sean Martin | Director of External Affairs Rent control is the Holy Grail for many low-income housing and tenant advocates who see it as the only...

On the 65th Washington Legislature Washington State’s 65th Legislature began its 2017 legislative session on January 9th, with the one...

Dear City Councilmembers, As you’re aware, the Rental Housing Association of Washington represents more than 5,500 small, independent...

Sean Martin | Director of External Affairs An initiative filed in early-March – filed by Devin Silvernail, a tenant advocate from San...

This week, local elections have been in focus here at RHAWA. Our list of endorsed candidates for the primaries are now out and listed below. RHAWA...

Next week, on Thursday, July 13, Seattle Councilmember Lisa Herbold is hosting a town hall discussion panel focused on a proposal which will...

Seattle, WA – May 30, 2017 – After careful legal review, the Rental Housing Association of Washington filed a lawsuit in King County...

SEATTLE -- A lawsuit in Seattle pits some fundamental rights against each other -- it’s civil rights that ban discrimination, and property...

Seattle Councilmember Kshama Sawant is continuing her political march against independent landlords as she prepares to push CB 118756 through her...

Looking to write Seattle Council in opposition to CB 118817 but don't know where to start? Consider using the sample letter below. Landlords are...

The City of Seattle is convening a roundtable discussion of multifamily rental property owners to provide advice and feedback on several proposed...

We now sit with only 10 days left in Washington’s 2016 Legislative Session. With the fiscal committee cutoff Monday, February 29 and the...

Last week saw the house of Origin Cutoff deadline narrow the amount of bills still alive for consideration by this year’s legislature. The...

Last week saw the end of fiscal committees consideration of bills, with lawmakers spending almost all their time in caucus with their party and...

Last week marked another successful Day On The Hill for RHA and our partners. Legislators and legislative staff have reported positive experiences...

This is a quick update for the second week of this short 2016 legislative session was highlighted by a King County Superior Court judge ruling on...

​The opening week of session is always a flurry, and this year is no exception. Of course there was the opening with all the pomp and circumstance,...

The 2016 legislative session is now under way, and that means rental property owners have a whole list of worries to consider for the next 60+...

This week the Senate confirmed that they’ve chosen a law firm to investigate the early release of over 3,000 prisoners by the Washington...

Final Legislative Summary Capital, Operating, & Transportation Budget SummariesFinally, after 176 legislative days, the Washington State...