Tacoma Passes Rental Housing Regulations
Heather Pierce | Deputy Director of Government Affairs
Tuesday night, Tacoma City Council passed several new rental housing regulations which directly impact rental housing owners. Although RHAWA's advocacy team was able to keep ineffective policies like Just Cause Termination of Tenancy off the table, the City opted not to provide any exemptions or protections for small landlords in the city.
More than seven months of negotiations resulted in a series of regulations that include:
- Installment payment plans on deposit and move-in fees
- Increases on termination notices for month-to-month tenancies
- Increased notification on rent increases
The majority of policies that make up TMC 1.95 will become effective and enforced on February 1, 2019. However, Council concern that the new regulations create an incentive for owners to increase rents led them to expedite the effective date of the rent increase notification to 10 days after publication (estimated to be December 6).
Also, if you haven't done so already, reach-out to Council Members to let them know how these regulations may change the way you run your business. RHAWA is already hearing from members who say that these new laws will force them to increase rents and raise tenant screening criteria requirements.
60-day notice for rent increases (expected effective date of December 6, 2018)
OTHER POLICIES | Effective February 1, 2019
- 60-day notice to terminate tenancy on month-to-month agreements
Installment Payment Plans on Move-in fees and deposits - 120-day notice to terminate month-to-month tenancies due to substantial rehabilitation, renovation, demolition, or change of use, including a requirement to provide a Relocation Assistance Packet
- Required to provide renter rights and responsibilities packed prepared by City
- Required to provide link on rental application criteria to City sponsored website with all property code violations and HUD discrimination findings and settlements
- Penalties for non-compliance
Read the finalized copy of Ordinance 28559.
If you should have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me at (206) 905-0611 or hpierce@RHAwa.org