Washington State House Members Pass Rent Stabilization: Capping Rent increases at no more than 7%

Olympia, WA – March 10th Washington State House members approved HB 1217, a rent stabilization policy that would prohibit rent increases of more than 7%.
 

Michele Thomas, policy and advocacy director at the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, commented: “Excessive rent increases are unfair and unnecessary. They are at the root of our affordable housing and eviction crisis here in Washington. Rent increases are destabilizing households across the state, even while landlords are not doing repairs. Evictions are at an all time high and more and more households are struggling to meet their basic needs while landlords take advantage of vulnerable people, including seniors and families with young children. Despite hundreds of thousands spent by deep-pocked corporate lobby groups trying to kill the bill, and thanks to incredible leadership in the House from Representatives Macri, Peterson and others, lawmakers have voted to provide renters with predictability over rent increases.”

Kathy Yasi and Jim Fife, landlords in Seattle, shared: “We make repairs, keep up with expenses and comfortably fund our retirement with small rent increases. Good tenants are valuable to us. We have never raised the rent or fees more than 7%. This legislation allows us to raise the rent as much as needed in-between tenants and make substantial profits from our investments. Our bottom line includes the well being of our neighborhood. We’ve met several people who were made homeless by unconscionable landlord charges. We hope the Washington Senate follows in step with House members in delivering this common sense solution to protect renter households.”