Woodinville Passes Tenant Protections

Last night, Woodinville City Council passed Ordinance 755, which will implement tenant protections. Your Advocacy Team engaged with staff and submitted a letter in opposition, but were unfortunately unsuccessful. Despite the ordinance passing, we were successful in receiving an extended implementation date, so this ordinance will now go into effect in 120 days, as opposed to 30. Here is what is included in the new ordinance:

1. Notice of Rights. Require landlords to provide tenants a notice of their rights under new lease agreements.
2. Notice of Rent and Fee Increases. Require landlords to provide a minimum of 120 days' written notice of rent and fee increases greater than 3%, and 180-days’ notice of rent and fee increases greater than 10%, except in subsidized housing where rent is set based on the income of the tenant.
3. Right to Privacy. Allow landlords to request but not require a prospective tenant’s social security number as part of the screening process.
4. Notice of Intent for Nonrenewal. Require landlords to provide a minimum of 120 days’ written notice for intent of the landlord to not offer lease renewal opportunity for fixed term leases of six months or longer.
5. Limits on Move-In Fees. Establish a cap on move-in fees and security deposits of no more than one month's rent except in subsidized tenancies where rent is set based on the income of the tenant
6. Installments for Move-In Expenses. Allow tenants the right to pay certain upfront fees in an installment plan instead of all at once. 

We will be putting together an educational webinar to help any members in Woodinville understand what is required to comply with the new law. Please stay tuned as we develop content and schedule this as soon as we are able. Any questions, please reach out to Carter@wmfha.org.