Housing (Renters)

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2022: Concerning reforms of landlord-tenant laws.

HB 2022 limits landlords' ability to evict tenants without cause by requiring 60 days' advance written notice for month-to-month leases or fixed-term leases initially lasting 6-12 months. It expands the list of valid "causes" for eviction to include rent nonpayment, lease breaches (like unauthorized subletting), waste or nuisance, and owner occupancy/sale scenarios - each requiring specific notice periods (30-90 days). The bill also prevents landlords from ending fixed-term tenancies without cause after the initial period unless they provided 60 days' notice and met lease duration requirements. These changes directly affect tenants in Washington state rental properties, particularly those in month-to-month or short-term leases.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by limiting no-cause evictions and requiring specific notice periods for valid reasons, directly advancing tenant rights in housing policy.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5222: Improving housing stability for tenants subject to the residential landlord-tenant act and the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act by limiting rent and fee increases, requiring notice of rent and fee increases, limiting fees and deposits, establishing a landlord resource center and associated services, authorizing tenant lease termination, creating parity between lease types, and providing for attorney general enforcement.

SB 5222 limits annual rent and fee increases for Washington tenants to 7% (with specific exemptions), requires landlords to provide written notice for increases, and bans excessive or arbitrary fees. It directly affects all renters under Washington’s residential and manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant acts, including households with children, seniors, and communities of color disproportionately impacted by rent hikes. Key provisions include allowing tenants to terminate leases without penalty if increases violate the cap, creating a landlord resource center for compliance support, and establishing parity between month-to-month and fixed-term leases. The bill also authorizes the Attorney General to enforce violations and recover damages for unlawful rent or fee charges.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits rent increases to 7%, bans excessive fees, requires notice - directly protects tenants and improves housing stability per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5469: Prohibiting algorithmic rent fixing and noncompete agreements in the rental housing market.

Senate Bill 5469 aims to prevent certain data-sharing practices in the rental housing market that could lead to coordinated rent pricing. The bill makes it unlawful for "service providers" to collect and analyze rental data from multiple landlords and then recommend rental prices or terms to more than one landlord. It also prohibits landlords from subscribing to or contracting with these coordinating service providers. Violations would be considered unfair trade practices under the state's consumer protection act, allowing for enforcement by the attorney general or civil lawsuits by injured individuals.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prohibits algorithmic rent fixing and noncompete agreements, preventing coordinated rent increases that harm tenants and protect tenant rights in housing.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly prohibits algorithmic rent fixing and data-sharing practices, restricting a specific technology application to prevent anti-competitive rent pricing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1927: Facilitating positive rent payment information to consumer reporting agencies at tenant request.

HB 1927 creates a temporary pilot program (running until 2028) allowing tenants to voluntarily request that their on-time rent payments be reported to credit bureaus. Landlords must agree in writing to participate, and tenants must provide written consent to have their credit scores tracked before and after reporting. The program initially targets up to 100 tenants, prioritizing underserved communities, and only reports rent payments (not fees or other charges). Participation is entirely voluntary for both tenants and landlords, with no cost to tenants and potential reimbursement for landlords' administrative expenses.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingVoluntary rent reporting to credit bureaus helps tenants build credit, targets underserved communities, and strengthens tenant financial stability - aligning with tenant protection and affordable housing goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5771: Increasing the working families' tax credit to reflect the economic impact of property taxes incorporated into rental amounts charged to residential tenants.

SB 5771 adds a new $300 annual tax credit for low-income renters in Washington who paid rent for their primary residence (including mobile home lots) for at least 183 days during the year. This credit directly affects eligible individuals who already qualify for the existing Working Families Tax Credit but also face property taxes included in their rent. The credit is calculated based on rental duration (183+ days), adjusted for inflation starting in 2027, and reduces at specific income levels as outlined in the bill. It expands the existing credit program to specifically address the financial impact of property taxes embedded in rental costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds $300 annual tax credit for low-income renters facing property taxes in rent, providing direct tax relief to lower-income households.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides $300 annual tax credit to low-income renters for property taxes included in rent, directly increasing housing affordability for tenants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5576: Providing state funding for essential affordable housing programs.

Senate Bill 5576 allows counties, cities, and towns in Washington State to impose a new special excise tax of up to four percent on short-term rental lodging booked through online platforms. The revenue collected from this tax must be used exclusively for essential affordable housing programs. These funds can support activities such as acquiring, rehabilitating, or constructing affordable housing, covering operations and maintenance costs for such housing, or providing rental assistance to tenants. Local governments are required to publish an annual report detailing how these tax revenues were spent.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new 4% excise tax on short-term rentals to fund affordable housing programs, directly allocating tax revenue to public service spending.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates dedicated tax revenue (4% on short-term rentals) exclusively for affordable housing programs including construction, rehab, and rental assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Affordable Housing Renters

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1365: Providing rental assistance to manufactured/mobile home park tenants.

HB 1365 creates a state rental assistance program for low-income tenants in manufactured/mobile home parks who are over 55 and facing rent increases exceeding inflation. The program provides monthly assistance of up to $200 or 50% of their lot rent (whichever is lower), administered by the Department of Commerce. Tenants must reapply annually and report income or rent changes, with eligibility based on household income under 80% of local median income. The program is funded by a $2 million appropriation for fiscal year 2026, separate from existing relocation funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds a $2M state rental assistance program for low-income seniors, increasing government spending on housing support within budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates state-funded rental assistance for low-income seniors in mobile home parks facing excessive rent hikes, directly advancing affordable housing and tenant protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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signed · Washington · House May 7, 2025

HB 1217: Improving housing stability for tenants subject to the residential landlord-tenant act and the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act by limiting rent and fee increases, requiring notice of rent and fee increases, limiting fees and deposits, establishing a landlord resource center and associated services, authorizing tenant lease termination, creating parity between lease types, and providing for attorney general enforcement.

HB 1217 aims to improve housing stability for tenants in Washington state, applying to those under the residential landlord-tenant act and the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act. It limits combined rent and fee increases to no more than seven percent within any 12-month period after the initial year of a tenancy, though some exemptions may apply. The bill also requires landlords to provide notice for increases, places limits on various fees and deposits, and allows tenants to terminate their lease if an increase is unlawful. Additionally, it establishes a landlord resource center and authorizes the Attorney General to enforce its provisions, providing specific remedies for tenants in cases of violation.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits rent/fee increases to 7% annually, requires notice for increases, restricts fees/deposits, and strengthens tenant rights under landlord-tenant acts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1204: Concerning senior shared housing in manufactured home communities.

HB 1204 requires manufactured home park landlords to include specific written disclosures in rental agreements for all tenants, including clear closure notices in bold text and historical rent data. It directly affects seniors aged 55+ by prohibiting park rules that block them from having roommates in shared housing arrangements - such as exchanges of services for room and board - while banning entrance/exit fees. The bill also restricts rent increases during closure periods to no more than 1% above the U.S. consumer price index and prohibits fees for guest parking or towing without prior notice. These changes aim to increase housing stability and affordability for seniors in manufactured home communities by standardizing tenant protections.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits senior housing discrimination, bans entrance fees, limits rent hikes during closures - directly strengthens tenant protections in affordable housing for seniors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights Tags Seniors

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1805: Creating a local sales and use tax to fund services for children and families that enhance well-being, promote mental health, and provide early interventions.

HB 1805 proposes a local 0.01% sales and use tax in Washington counties to fund additional services for children and families. The tax would generate revenue specifically for mental health support, early intervention programs, child care, school-based health services, shelter, rental assistance, and transportation. Counties could implement this tax via resolution or ordinance, with funds restricted to the listed services that address gaps in current Medicaid and behavioral health programs. The bill aims to support children and families early to improve well-being and reduce long-term needs like youth violence and substance use.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates a new local 0.01% sales tax to fund mental health, childcare, and family services, directly increasing public funding for essential programs within budget constraints.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds school-based health services (directly supporting student well-being and access to education) and addresses gaps in educational support systems through targeted funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds mental health, early interventions, school-based health services, and behavioral health programs through new local tax to address Medicaid gaps.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly funds 'rental assistance' and 'shelter' as core services, directly supporting affordable housing and tenant stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Student Health Medicaid Mental Health Renters

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