Housing (Tenant Rights)

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 1088: Preparing for revisions to the residential landlord-tenant act by creating a task force and establishing a moratorium on new residential landlord-tenant regulations.

HB 1088 creates a task force to study Washington's residential landlord-tenant laws and recommends updates, while imposing a 36-month moratorium on new local regulations governing rental relationships. The task force - composed of landlords, tenants, housing advocates, and local government representatives - will examine issues like rent limits, evictions, and security deposits, with recommendations due by July 2027. The moratorium prevents cities, towns, and counties from enacting new ordinances or policies regulating landlord-tenant matters for 36 months. This bill directly affects local governments, landlords, and tenants by halting new local rules during the study period. It aims to create a consistent state-level framework for housing regulations, addressing disparities caused by varying local ordinances.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingMoratorium blocks new local tenant protections (rent limits, evictions), preventing stronger regulations from being enacted.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5741: Authorizing superior courts to appoint housing court commissioners.

Washington's SB 5741 allows superior courts to appoint housing court commissioners - trained attorneys - to handle eviction cases, addressing a record surge in filings (23,000 as of November 2024) that strains court capacity. The bill directly affects tenants (especially low-income renters, seniors, and communities of color disproportionately impacted by high rents) and landlords by creating a new role to reduce case backlogs. Key provisions require county legislative approval for commissioner positions, mandate specific training on landlord-tenant law, and allow commissioners to process eviction filings, hold hearings, and make recommendations while their decisions remain reviewable by judges. The goal is to improve efficiency in eviction proceedings without replacing the existing right-to-counsel program for eligible tenants.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates specialized housing courts to expedite eviction cases, reducing backlogs and protecting vulnerable tenants (low-income, seniors, communities of color) from unjust evictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2025: Increasing the working families' tax credit to reflect the economic impact of property taxes incorporated into rental amounts charged to residential tenants.

HB 2025 adds a new $300 annual tax credit for low-income renters in Washington who pay sales or use tax. Eligible residents must have rented their primary residence for at least 183 days during the year and meet existing credit requirements. The credit, effective starting in 2026, will be adjusted annually for inflation based on the Seattle consumer price index. This directly supports residential tenants whose rent includes property tax costs, expanding the existing working families' tax credit program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds $300 annual tax credit for low-income renters, providing direct tax relief to offset property tax costs in rent, aligning with tax relief for lower income.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides $300 annual tax credit to low-income renters for property tax embedded in rent, directly increasing housing affordability and tenant financial relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Tax Credits Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1358: Concerning the notice of sale or lease of manufactured/mobile home communities.

HB 1358 requires mobile home community owners in Washington to provide written notice of a potential sale or lease to all tenants, tenant organizations, and specific government agencies (like the Department of Commerce and local housing authorities) before marketing the community for sale. The notice must include details about the sale, a 70-day window for tenants to form a qualified purchasing group, and information on how to access community financial data. This bill amends existing laws to ensure tenants have a formal opportunity to compete for ownership before the property is sold to outside buyers. It applies directly to mobile home community owners and tenants, with specific requirements for notice delivery, timelines, and access to financial information during negotiations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires mobile home community owners to provide tenants 70-day notice before sale/lease, enabling tenant purchase groups and protecting against displacement in affordable housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5661: Creating consistency in housing.

SB 5661 creates statewide consistency in housing by preventing cities and counties from enacting local rent control or landlord-tenant regulations that conflict with Washington’s state law. It directly affects landlords, tenants, and local governments in areas like Seattle, King County, and Tacoma, which have previously imposed conflicting rules (e.g., requiring extra notices for criminal activity or mandating 30-day notices). The bill amends state law to explicitly state that cities and counties cannot regulate rent amounts or tenant agreements (except for low-income housing under specific joint public-private programs), overriding local ordinances. This aims to eliminate regulatory confusion, encourage rental housing investment, and support Washington’s goal of building 1.1 million new homes over 20 years.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingPrevents cities from enacting stricter rent control and tenant protections (e.g., 30-day notice requirements), overriding local laws that strengthen tenant rights under state law.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5740: Concerning eviction reform and tenant safety.

SB 5740 (Washington State) standardizes eviction notice forms and procedures to streamline the unlawful detainer process. It requires eviction summons to clearly state response deadlines (5:00 p.m. prior to court date), include tenant legal aid resources (like the Eviction Defense Screening Line at 855-657-8387), and list mediation options. The bill directly affects landlords (both non-profit and for-profit) and tenants facing eviction, particularly in affordable housing communities. Key provisions include mandating specific content in summons forms and clarifying how tenants can legally respond to eviction filings. This is a procedural reform focused on improving process clarity, not altering tenant rights or landlord obligations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStandardizes eviction procedures with tenant protections, legal aid resources, and mediation options, directly strengthening tenant rights in affordable housing communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Landlords Tenant Rights

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signed · Washington · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 1003: Addressing service of notice by mail in cases involving forcible entry and forcible and unlawful detainer.

HB 1003 amends Washington state law to clarify how eviction notices must be served by mail in forcible entry and unlawful detainer cases. It requires that notices sent by certified mail (from within Washington) be considered complete upon deposit in the U.S. mail, and adds a mandatory five-day waiting period before an eviction action can begin after mail service. The bill directly affects tenants, landlords, and legal processes in housing disputes by standardizing mail service procedures and extending the timeframe for tenants to respond. This change, effective July 27, 2025, aims to ensure clearer notice delivery in eviction cases while providing additional time for affected residents.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdds mandatory 5-day waiting period for eviction notices, strengthening tenant protections in housing disputes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5753: Establishing a public housing task force.

SB 5753 establishes a 12-member task force to study how Washington State could expand public housing as a solution to the housing crisis. The task force will examine funding options, public land use, UN housing standards, and governance changes needed to develop mixed-income housing, with a focus on affordability for low-income residents and communities of color. It must submit preliminary and final reports to the legislature by July and November 2026, respectively, including recommendations for creating publicly owned housing that meets international adequacy standards. This bill does not fund or build housing but creates a study group to develop a strategy for future action.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates task force to study expanding public housing for affordability, focusing on low-income residents and communities of color, directly advancing affordable housing goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Tenant Rights

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