Find the latest summaries and policy updates for all multifamily housing regulations and policies.
Tacoma's Rental Housing Code Effective February 1, 2019 On November 20, Tacoma City Council passed an ordinance which creates specific renter protections for renters in the City of Tacoma. The law applies to properties in the City of Tacoma only. The majority of the new law becomes effective... Continue Reading
After seven months of negotiations, the Tacoma City Council passed a Rental Housing Code on the evening of 11/20/18. The majority of the new laws become effective February 1, 2019, however, the Council passed an amendment speeding up the effective date of notice of rent increases. Beginning... Continue Reading
Tonight, the Federal Way City Council will consider new sizable fees on multifamily developments, including those that offer on-site accessory parking or storage units to residents. Added fees are impediments to housing affordability. The city already assesses astronomical impact fees to... Continue Reading
We heard California residents loud and clear defeat Proposition 10 62% to 38%. Prop. 10 would have overturned the state’s Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act, which bans local governments from imposing rent control on any apartment built since 1995. The act also bans rent control on any... Continue Reading
The Fox Cove Apartments in Burien recently sold and new owners are seeking to renovate and improve the property. The prior owner allowed the property to fall into disrepair, with allegations of mold and mildew on the interior of the units and failed to provide basic property maintenance. In... Continue Reading
Beginning in 2019, all rental properties located within the City of Seattle will be required to renew their rental registration license. We recently learned the city is proposing drastic changes to the fee and licensing requirements. The below information is proposed and any changes must be... Continue Reading
Since April, WMFHA and local housing providers and other rental housing associations have been working with the City of Tacoma to find reasonable common ground on a rental housing code that emerged due to public outcry. We are where we are because of one unfortunate incident that caused the... Continue Reading
Your Rights as a Property Owner and the Seattle Waterfront LID As you may know, the City of Seattle is in the process of creating a special tax assessment property owners as part of its Waterfront Seattle project. The tax, known as a Local Improvement District (LID), would apply to commercial... Continue Reading
The most significant threat to multifamily industry in decades... Is the potential of Proposition 10 passing in California. Residents will vote this November on whether or not to undo the statewide prohibition on rent control known as Costa-Hawkins. If we lose the fight in California, the effects... Continue Reading
After suspending rent increases in the MFTE program in early April, the Seattle Office of Housing published income and rent schedules for the MFTE and other income and rent restricted programs on Monday May 14, 2018. The published rent and income schedule results in an average 4.5% increase in... Continue Reading
The Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) program is a highly successful affordable housing program authorized by the City of Seattle to create affordable rental housing to families earning between 65% and 80% AMI. As of June 2017, more than 160 apartment communities participate in the program,... Continue Reading
On May 14, a new law takes effect in Seattle which may change how you offer and charge for parking to residential and commercial tenants. The law affects multifamily properties in the City of Seattle only. The law, which amends the land use code to change mandatory parking requirements in... Continue Reading
