A Seattle City Council committee is set to vote on new legislation that aims to establish rent control in the city. The legislation, sponsored by Councilmember Kshama Sawant and currently under review by the Sustainability and Renters Rights Committee, would only go into effect if Washington State repeals laws that prevent cities from regulating rent.
Since 1981, Washington State has prohibited cities, including Seattle, from implementing rent control policies. However, if the state prohibition is lifted and the legislation is passed, Seattle landlords would be prohibited from raising rents or deposits for 18 months. After the initial freeze period, the legislation would establish a maximum annual limit on rent increases based on the rate of inflation.
Sawant says that the legislation is important when it comes to addressing the housing affordability crisis in Seattle.
“Rent control is a critical tool to protect tenants and combat skyrocketing rents,” Sawant asserts. “We need to give power back to renters and build a city that prioritizes people over corporate landlords.”
The proposed legislation includes several provisions. It would apply to all rental housing units in the city, with some exceptions such as short-term rentals, hotels, and emergency shelters. The calculation of the maximum annual rent increase would be based on the rate of inflation multiplied by the average monthly rent charged in the preceding 12 months. Utility costs would be included or excluded from rent calculations depending on whether the landlord or tenant pays for them.
For rental housing units newly offered on sites previously used for rental housing, the legislation would regulate the initial rent charged. The maximum initial rent would be set based on the most recent rent charged in the previous unit, adjusted for the cumulative maximum annual rent increase during the period it was not offered for rental.
To oversee the rent control program, the legislation proposes the establishment of a Rent Control Commission, comprising renters and landlords appointed by district Councilmembers. The Commission would make recommendations to the City on rent control policies and regulations and ensure fair application of the regulations. There would also be District Rent Control Boards to hold hearings on petitions for emergency rent control exemptions.
The legislation includes a process for landlords to petition for exemptions from the maximum rent increase limit in cases where unforeseeable events have caused significant property damage. The Board would assess the financial hardship to both the landlord and tenants and decide on the petition.
The administration and enforcement of the legislation would be handled by the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI). Landlords would be required to provide notice of rent increases in both dollar amount and percentage, and SDCI would enforce the provisions using warnings, citations, and notices of violation.
While the legislation represents a significant step towards addressing the housing crisis, it is important to note that it can only be implemented if Washington State repeals its prohibition on rent control. Nevertheless, Councilmember Sawant remains hopeful and committed to the cause.
“We need to fight for rent control at the local level and put pressure on the state legislature to repeal the ban,” Sawant emphasizes. “Housing is a human right, and it’s time to take action.”
