Find the latest summaries and policy updates for all multifamily housing regulations and policies.
A Message From The National Apartment Association on Housing Affordability There is a continued discussion locally, statewide and across the country on the need for efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing and rental housing of all types. The NAA supports a cooperative effort from... Continue Reading
A new law affecting rental housing in the City of Seattle only was unanimously passed by the City Council on Monday August 8, 2016. The law becomes effective September 16, 2016. WMFHA participated in the original stakeholder group pertaining to source of income legislation only, and provided... Continue Reading
From the Government Affairs Team at the NAA: Member Advisory: Fair Housing – Familial Status Litigation A fair housing complaint has been filed against an NAA member company that operates properties in several states. The complaint questions the member’s occupancy standards, alleging... Continue Reading
It has recently come to our attention that the Attorney General of Washington has been conducting fair housing testing on the use of criminal records in tenant screening. As far as we know, the Attorney General’s investigation is directed against properties and management companies whose... Continue Reading
New landlord-tenant laws take effect today. First, the law requires that you indicate whether you accept a comprehensive reusable tenant screening report on each individual property’s website and in the screening criteria you provide to your prospective applicants. WMFHA recommends that you... Continue Reading
The National Apartment Association recently published a white paper on Familial Housing protected class. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing rental or conditions based on specific protected classes, such as race, color,sex, religion, national origin, handicap status and,... Continue Reading
NAA/NMHC White Paper on Resident Screening Policies for Ex-Offenders Now Available NAA/NMHC’s new white paper on HUD’s recently-issued guidance on the use of criminal histories in resident screening is now available for NAA members (member login required). The white paper,... Continue Reading
On March 28, 2016, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published new income limits which determines eligibility for housing assistance programs such as the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8). The income limits published on March 28, 2016, take effect... Continue Reading
HUD recently released 'Guidance' on the application of Fair Housing Standards in a prospective tenant's criminal background screening. The guidance, found here, eliminates blanket exclusions on individuals with a criminal record and limits the use of arrest records in making leasing determinations... Continue Reading
New Law Changes Security Deposit Refund Timing from 14 to 21 Days We are pleased to announce that after many years of advocacy efforts in Olympia, Governor Inslee signed a multi-part landlord-tenant bill on March 29, 2016. While we will provide more information on other provisions of the bill... Continue Reading
Loss Mitigation Trust Fund Account Established to Compensate Landlords for Damage. The legislature recently passed a Supplemental Budget which includes a $125,000 Loss Mitigation Trust Account. The account is accessible to landlords for damages caused to private market rate apartments by housing... Continue Reading
Senator Cantwell Launches National Campaign to Increase Federal Resources for Affordable Housing U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), joined by Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland, Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson, and a coalition of more than 1,300 national, state, and local... Continue Reading
