Housing (Tenant Rights)

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 6153: Concerning senior independent housing protections.

Washington's SB 6153 creates protections for seniors living in independent housing communities (like retirement communities designed for seniors who don't need daily care). It requires these facilities to register annually with the state, report occupied/vacant unit counts, and fund a dedicated ombuds program to resolve resident complaints about management issues. The bill establishes a statewide database tracking senior housing inventory and mandates a trained ombuds office to handle disputes related to landlord-tenant laws, without conflicting with existing healthcare facilities. This directly affects seniors in these housing types, who previously lacked specialized advocacy services.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates protections for senior housing residents via ombuds program, registration, and complaint resolution, strengthening tenant protections in housing communities.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights Tags Seniors

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1099: Creating a tenant assistance program.

HB 1099 creates a state tenant assistance program providing up to $400 monthly rent help to Washington renters who spend over 30% of their income on housing costs and earn at or below 80% of their county’s median household income (per HUD data). Priority is given to households earning 60% or less of median income or receiving Supplemental Security Income. The program, funded by 20% of county recording fee surcharges (from RCW 36.22.250), will be administered by the Department of Commerce through public housing authorities and expires June 30, 2032. Assistance is limited to 12 consecutive months per household, with annual reports required on program usage and outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds tenant assistance program using existing county recording fee surcharges, aligning with fiscal management for essential services.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides direct rent assistance to low-income tenants (≤80% median income) struggling with housing costs, prioritizing vulnerable households, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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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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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5678: Preparing for revisions to the residential landlord-tenant act by creating a task force and establishing a moratorium on new residential landlord-tenant regulations.

SB 5678 creates a state task force to study Washington's residential landlord-tenant laws and imposes a 36-month moratorium on new local rental regulations. The task force, composed of landlords, tenants, housing advocates, and local government representatives, will examine issues like rent limits, evictions, security deposits, and tenant screening. Local governments (cities, towns, counties) cannot enact new rental rules during the moratorium period, which begins when the bill takes effect. The task force must report its recommendations to the legislature by July 2027, with the bill expiring in 2029.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingMoratorium on new local rental regulations restricts tenant protections and housing development at local level by halting rent limits, eviction rules, and security deposit reforms.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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passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SJM 8006: Concerning the limited license legal technician program.

Senate Joint Memorial 8006 petitions the Washington State Supreme Court to reinstate and expand its Limited License Legal Technician (LLLT) program. The memorial asks the Court to reverse its 2020 decision to end the program, citing a current shortage of attorneys and a need for legal services among low and moderate-income Washingtonians. It specifically requests the expansion of LLLT services within one year to include administrative law, eviction, and debt assistance. Additionally, the memorial asks for a work group to be formed to explore how LLLTs could help individuals charged with offenses in courts of limited jurisdiction. The aim is to increase access to legal representation for those facing legal challenges.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands legal aid for eviction assistance, directly supporting tenant protections in housing disputes per LLLT program expansion request.85% confidence

Sub-Topics 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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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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