Where to Find Legislative Updates and Action Alerts Continue Reading
Advocacy News
Policy Issues and Legal Topics Affecting Multifamily Housing
Find the latest summaries and policy updates for all multifamily housing regulations and policies.
Due to the effort of WMFHA, RHA, Spokane Realtors, Landlord Association – Inland NW, and many individual members, the Spokane City Council originally delayed passage of tenant protection ordinance 36330 from December 5, 2022 to January 23, 2023 in order to have stakeholder meetings and a... Continue Reading
We don’t have a rent problem; we have a supply problem. Due to decades of increasing regulation, artificially constrained land supply and ever-increasing inefficiencies in permitting, the creation of units has not kept up with demand. In fact, the WA Dept of Commerce recently estimated that... Continue Reading
Although less onerous, but still very detrimental to our industry, several “tenant protection” bills have also been filed with some already having been heard and moved out of committee. HB 1074 (Moved out of Housing Committee on a party line vote after amendment to statute of... Continue Reading
As you are probably aware there are several bills that although euphemistically labeled “Rent Stabilization” are, in fact, rent control. Three bills, HB 1388, HB 1389, and SB 5435 all attempt to create a statewide cap on rent increase. HB 1625 and SB 5615, the nuclear option, would... Continue Reading
Click and Lease 30 day notice update (Recent Cares Act Court Decision) Continue Reading
After hearing from WMFHA, housing providers and industry partners, Spokane City Council delays vote on tenant protection ordinance 36330. With first council discussion at the November, 21 2022 City Council briefing session, the ordinance was on the fast track to be passed at the December 5 City... Continue Reading
On Monday, December 5 the WA Court of Appeals published their opinion in Yemeserach Gebreseralse v. Columbia Debt Relief. The court found, in this circumstance, that the security deposit couldn't be fully forfeit due to the tenant’s failure to give notice and must, at least in portion, be... Continue Reading
Notice of Recent CARES Act Notice to Vacate Appeals Court Opinion - On Monday, December 5 the WA Court of Appeals published their opinion in Sherwood Auburn LLC v. Joel Pinzon and Rosa Mendez. This will require landlords, that are subject to the CARES Act, to modify the state court 14-day... Continue Reading
At the December 8 Government Affairs Committee meeting, WMFHA contract lobbyist Kathryn Hedrick presented “Legislation 1010 and Session Preview.” The presentation was a primer for some and reminder for others on the legislative makeup, the process of bill creation, drafting and... Continue Reading
WMFHA Director of Government Affairs Ryan Makinster and Consultant Kathryn Hedrick recently met with Democratic members of the “pragmatic” caucus during the Jackson Legacy Fund Reception in Olympia. As sponsors of the exclusive pre-reception social hour, WMFHA was able to discuss... Continue Reading
The NAA Assembly of Delegates was held November 14-17 in Norfolk, Virginia with several WMFHA members and staff in attendance. The Assembly of Delegates (AOD) is composed of up to two hundred and fifty (250) delegates from the NAA’s ten regions. AOD is NAA’s largest business meeting... Continue Reading