Advocacy News

Find the latest summaries and policy updates for all multifamily housing regulations and policies.  

Action Alerts Advocacy News Articles Bills COVID-19 Resource Center Industry Trends Member Spotlight WMFHA Updates

Unincorporated King County Rental Protections
Unincorporated King County Rental Protections

The King County Council on Tuesday passed an ordinance creating additional protections in unlawful detainer proceedings for tenants of residential and commercial tenancies. The law passed 7-2A copy of the ordinance can be found here. The law applies to and affects properties in unincorporated... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted06/26/2020


Only 90.48 Percent of Washington Apartment Homes Paid Rent as of June 13, 2020
Only 90.48 Percent of Washington Apartment Homes Paid Rent as of June 13, 2020

Renton, Washington – Washington Multi-Family Housing Association’s (WMFHA) found 90.48 percent of statewide apartment homes made a full or partial payment by June 13, 2020. The data was collected from the association’s 267,000 professionally managed homes in the state. This is... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted06/14/2020


New Laws Take Effect Thursday
New Laws Take Effect Thursday

Several bills passed the legislature which affect the landlord-tenant relationship and housing provider operations. The following is a summary of each policy that passed in 2020. The following bills apply to all residential rental properties in the state of Washington and become effective June... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted06/9/2020


Extended Statewide Eviction Moratorium
Extended Statewide Eviction Moratorium

Late yesterday, Governor Inslee extended the statewide eviction moratorium an additional 60 days to August 1, 2020. A copy of the new eviction moratorium can be found here. Details of the changes can be found below. Despite real evidence that rental payments are largely being made, our members... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted06/3/2020


Act Now to Prevent a Wave of Post-Emergency Order Evictions
Act Now to Prevent a Wave of Post-Emergency Order Evictions

We are quickly approaching a moment that will significantly test the resiliency of our housing system amidst COVID-19 and historic unemployment. Eviction moratoriums are beginning to lift in cities and states across the country, yet many people remain out of work. Meanwhile, the extra... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted06/3/2020


Tenant Behavioral Survey - May 2020
Tenant Behavioral Survey - May 2020

Washington Multi-Family Housing Association conducted a survey of members to understand better the property owner consequences of the Washington Eviction Moratorium. The May survey results found an increase in non-rent material lease violations, including a more than doubling of incidents of... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted06/1/2020


Only 90.35 Percent of Washington Apartment Homes Paid Rent as of May 13, 2020
Only 90.35 Percent of Washington Apartment Homes Paid Rent as of May 13, 2020

Renton, Washington – Washington Multi-Family Housing Association’s (WMFHA) found 90.35 percent of statewide apartment homes made a full or partial payment by May 13, 2020. The data was collected from the association’s 267,000 professionally managed homes in the state. This is... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted05/14/2020


Seattle Requires Payment Plans and Prevents Eviction History
Seattle Requires Payment Plans and Prevents Eviction History

On May 11, 2020, the Seattle City Council passed two more bills affecting the landlord-tenant relationship. The laws become effective immediately upon the Mayor's signature. Each bill is described below. The law applies to properties located in the city of Seattle only. These laws, on top of the... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted05/12/2020


Seattle Bans Evictions Additional Six Months
Seattle Bans Evictions Additional Six Months

On Monday May 4, the Seattle City Council passed an ordinance that extends the eviction moratorium for nonpayment an additional 6 months after the Mayor's eviction moratorium terminates. Currently, the city of Seattle's eviction moratorium is set to expire on June 4. This is the same date the... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted05/6/2020


Construction Services to Resume in Washington
Construction Services to Resume in Washington

On April 24, 2020, as an early first step in re-opening Washington's economy, Governor Inslee released a framework to open construction activities. Construction activities will be permissible under certain conditions that focus on the health and safety of the construction workers while ensuring... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted04/27/2020


Landlord Story - Weidner Apartment Homes
Landlord Story - Weidner Apartment Homes

Weidner Apartment Homes has grown to include properties in 12 states since opening in Seattle in 1977. When the coronavirus outbreak hit their hometown, they knew the situation was serious. Weidner’s Kirkland office is less than a mile from the nursing home where the outbreak began. As they... Continue Reading

Postedby Greg Cerbana
Date posted04/22/2020


Rent Strikes Imperil Housing Providers
Rent Strikes Imperil Housing Providers

Residents across Washington who are impacted by the economic fallout of COVID-19 are understandably worried about paying rent. With one-third of renters paying partial or no rent in April, and rising unemployment, it’s reasonable to expect that this number will increase in the coming weeks.... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted04/17/2020