RHAWA + LLA Merger Empowers Rental Housing Industry with Strength

Seattle, WA – In an infrequent move that promises to reshape the rental housing landscape in Washington, the Rental Housing Association of Washington (RHAWA) and the Landlord Association of the Inland Northwest (LLA) have announced their merger effective August 1, 2024. This historic unification combines the strengths and resources of both organizations to better serve rental housing providers and residents across the state. This merger signifies RHAWA representing roughly 6,000 rental housing providers.

LLA has been a mainstay in Spokane since 1971. LLA’s service area includes the City of Spokane, Spokane County, and a few surrounding counties, encompassing both urban and rural housing providers. The association was formed by residential property owners and managers concerned with creating and maintaining an atmosphere in which private enterprises could survive the increasing demands made by government agencies, legislative action, and tenant groups. The association punched above its weight class in terms of impact on local matters related to landlord-tenant law and trade association expertise for rental housing providers in large part because of the leadership provided by Board President, Steve Corker. Steve Corker, a retired executive and former city councilman. He played a pivotal role in guiding the LLA through challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent eviction moratorium. Steve Corker will now serve as a RHAWA Regent, continuing his invaluable leadership and mentorship.

RHAWA has existed under various names since 1935, starting out as a Seattle-based association which grew into a regional resource throughout the Puget Sound-area. In the early 2000s, RHAWA merged with another regional organization and in 2012 took aim at becoming a statewide organization. In 2020, RHAWA launched a Manufactured Housing Communities membership. RHAWA is the largest rental housing association in Washington State. Over the last 90 years, RHAWA has evolved into the most valuable resource for independent rental property owners and managers and manufactured housing community owners by providing industry-leading benefits, including leases and forms, a Support Center featuring best practice articles, educational courses and events, advocacy, and more. The association promotes safe and affordable housing by modeling the highest standards of ethics and integrity. RHAWA’s advocacy efforts aim to ensure the relationship between housing providers and residents is equitable, defends property rights, and encourages safe housing practices and policies.

UNITING THE VOICES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CASCADES

As the political landscape continues to shift with new local and statewide regulations impacting housing providers and residents, it is critical to unite the rental housing industry on both sides of the Cascades and strengthen our influence on state and local policies. RHAWA will continue to ensure that rental housing providers are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the market and advocate for fair policies that benefit both providers and their residents. RHAWA tirelessly advocates on our members behalf by:

• Acting as a Trusted Resource for Policymakers: RHAWA has been the primary resource for policymakers and cultivates relationships with state and local lawmakers. These connections allow policymakers to seek our trusted advice to foster fair solutions to industry problems without placing undue burden upon housing providers. We have a team of team of policy analysts, lobbyists, communications specialists, and lawyers defending members’ interests.

• Supporting Candidates that Support the Industry: RHA Political Action Committee (PAC) works to elect candidates who recognize rental housing as a valuable asset to communities, share a strong commitment to allowing rental housing to function as a market-based industry, and a willingness to work with the rental housing industry toward the common goal of providing safe and healthy housing.

• Protecting the Industry though our Legal Defense Fund: Too often, regulations and burdens placed upon independent housing providers have unintended consequences, which harm rental housing providers and renters alike. RHAWA’s Legal Defense Fund has acted as the last line of defense to defend property rights for nearly 90 years. Today, we are in an era of high litigation, and RHAWA continues the tradition of initiating, defending, intervening in, and forestalling litigation where the legal issues are of substantial significance to the rental housing industry. The RHAWA Legal Defense Fund helps fortify the rental housing industry; it is there to protect our membership when a significant legal issue is threatening the rental housing industry.

THE FUTURE OF RHAWA IS BRIGHT & YOUR MEMBERSHIP GRANTS YOU EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS

• Attorney-Reviewed Leases & Forms: RHAWA members gain unlimited access to an extensive library of online leases and forms which are tailored specifically to state and city laws unique to Washington. They are updated and reviewed as laws change by an experienced landlord-tenant attorney.

• Education: RHAWA believes strongly that education is a key component to owning and managing rental housing, maximizing the return on your investment, and being a community partner, which is why 14+ hours of FREE education is included with each annual membership. The Rental Housing Academy (RHA) education program is designed to provide independent housing providers, MHC owners, and others in the residential housing industry a foundation of knowledge and skills to help them meet legal responsibilities and succeed in the business. Classes are offered ONLINE and ONDEMAND.

• Industry Events: RHAWA provides a variety of must-attend events throughout the year, including a Spring Workshop & Tradeshow, the ENGAGE – Fall Expo & Annual Business Meeting, and the Holiday Gala. LINK Meetings are informal monthly meetups held throughout Washington.

• Support Center & Community Forum: RHAWA’s Support Center provides instant self-help articles to most questions anytime. Article content is reviewed and updated by industry experts including RHAWA staff, attorneys, and property management professionals. Members also gain access to our Community Forum, which taps into the collective knowledge of our membership.

• Advocacy at the Local & State Level: RHAWA diligently tracks the ever-changing landscape of rental housing regulation in various jurisdictions across Washington State. We actively craft or amend bill language, and lead coalitions to combat onerous policies.

• Grassroots Mobilization: RHAWA mobilizes members into action, inundating the Capitol or city council with messages when necessary, or sharing members’ experience with the media.

This merger is the result of years of collaboration between RHAWA leadership and LLA leadership. A special thank you goes out to Steve Corker and Melissa Canfield. This combination would not have been possible but for their passion and commitment to building a single stronger unified association. The Staff and Board of Directors of RHAWA look forward to serving the housing providers of the larger Spokane Area. RHAWA will grow its membership across the State of Washington. From Bellingham to Vancouver, Seattle to Spokane, RHAWA is the trusted source for all needs an independent housing provide