Blog

2023 Legislative Session Wrap-Up and End of Session Report Released

Well, we can finally check off the 2023 legislative session and say that we had a pretty successful run this year. What started out as a pretty nerve-racking session with many bills introduced that took direct aim at our industry, ended up being a fairly benign session with only a few bills... Continue Reading

Summary of the RLTA and Select Local Jurisdictions Updated

This summary of the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act was created by Joe Puckett, founding Board Member and former Director of Government Affairs. Each year, to coincide with the Virtual Legal Symposium (VSL), this document is updated, summarizing new laws passed by the Washington... Continue Reading

Local Races Filing Deadline

May 19 is the filing deadline for local, city and county, elected races. Although WMFHA has traditionally focused mostly on state races, with recent actions at city and county councils, it has become imperative that we, as an association, start becoming more active in these races. The WMFHA PAC... Continue Reading

Seattle EDRA and Required Notification Subcommittee Update

The Government Affairs Committee (GAC) created two ad hoc subcommittees, the Seattle Economic Displacement Relocation Assistance (EDRA) and Required Notification committees. The EDRA subcommittee is tasked with discussing appeals and implementation of the Economic Displacement Relocation... Continue Reading

Seattle Updates MFTE Holding Deposits Process

The Seattle Office of Housing has updated their requirements for “holding deposits” for MFTE units after receiving feedback from housing providers. As of April 2021, MFTE communities were only able to collect a holding deposit of $100 for MFTE units upon application. In addition,... Continue Reading

Sawant to Pursue Rent Control Ordinance in Seattle

Seattle Councilmember Kshama Sawant is urging her supports to sign a petition to pass rent control in Seattle and is drafting an ordinance so it can be rubber stamped by her Sustainability and Renter’s Rights Committee before moving to the full council. Although it wouldn’t... Continue Reading

WMFHA Seeks Public Affairs Manager to Fulfill Government Affairs Role

We are still accepting candidates for the Public Affairs Manager position at WMFHA. This position supports our association’s visible and proactive government affairs engagement with priority jurisdictions throughout Washington State, working with elected officials, stakeholders, and public... Continue Reading

9th Circuit Overturns Part of Seattle Criminal Background Check Law

On Tuesday March 21, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that s key portion of a Seattle law meant to guard against housing discrimination is unconstitutional. In their ruling, they found that barring landlords from asking prospective tenants about “any arrest record, conviction... Continue Reading

Leveling Up Your Career Through Credentials

Shelby Bosch is a GO-GETTER! Since joining the multi-family industry in October of 2021, she has earned not 1 but 2 National Apartment Association Credentials. Continue Reading

Q1 Successes from WMFHA Executive Director

To no one’s surprise, they’ve executed an incredibly impressive amount of our yearly goals through the first quarter of the year with a lengthy and impressive list of achievements. They include:  Continue Reading

Invitation from President of the Board

Dear Members, Thank you for being part of our association. As housing providers, we have a unique opportunity to connect with people on a very personal level. I still remember the excitement I felt when I leased my first apartment over sixteen years ago. As this year’s Board... Continue Reading

Membership Drive Success - Q1

n only 7 weeks, 2 management companies, 33 suppliers, 100 new properties joined the WMFHA family!  Continue Reading