Proposed Changes:
Rent Increase Notice
Possible policy requirements include:
- 6-10%: 90 days written notice10+%: 180-220 days (6-7 months) written notice
6% or less: 60 days written notice
- Update the notice requirements for rent increase based on percentage of increase. Possible requirements include:
- Update the service requirements for rent increase notices.
- Written notice must be served in accordance with RCW 59.12.040.
- Landlord cannot charge for rent increase notice to be served.
- Provide options to tenants who cannot afford the rental increase and needs to vacate unit.
- Waive requirement for tenant to serve a proper 20-day written notice to vacate or tenant will not be penalized if tenant vacates based on the rent increase.
Shared Housing Standards
Possible policy requirements include:
- Require master lease holder provide contact information for the sublet tenants and the property owner at time of tenancy.
- Require separate leases when renting to four or more tenants.
- Require lease to state the legal number of occupants and habitable spaces in unit.
- Require housing providers to serve any notices that can lead to eviction to all sublet tenants at the time the master lease holder is served.
- Prohibit housing providers from starting the Unlawful Detainer Action (eviction) if they cannot show notices were served to all sublet tenants.
Late Fee Standards
Possible policy requirements include:
- Require housing providers to actively take steps to recover late fees during tenancy, serving monthly or quarterly notices.
- Prohibit housing providers who do not address late fees during tenancy from reporting them to a perspective housing provider at the end of tenancy.
- Limits to amount of late fees a housing provider can charge as outlined in RLTA: Possible caps: Cap late fee to $75 as outlined in Washington State Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.18, RLTA) or Cap late fee to 3% to 5% of monthly rental amount.
Restriction of Evictions without a Rental Business License
What would the policy address:
- Policy would ensure anyone operating a rental business in the Tacoma city limits is complying with City policies, which requires all rentals to have a rental business license.
- It will ensure that housing providers are given the opportunity to provide input on all policies as the City uses the Rental Business License as an outreach tool.
Possible policy requirement include:
- Require a housing provider to attach a copy of Rental Business License to the Show Cause heating paperwork.
Screening Criteria
What is the Problem?
Due to the current housing market, tenants are having difficulty securing housing due to screening criteria, because of income requirements.
Housing providers are requiring social security numbers to apply for housing which can have an adverse effect on immigrant population.
Housing providers who have a blanket criminal history policy
What would a policy do?
- This policy would particularly help the vulnerable population who is more likely to become homeless if they are not able to secure affordable healthy housing.
Possible policy requirements:
- Limits on the rent to income ratio (ex 3x monthly rent).
- Limit on rent to income ratio on tenants who are on a fixed income (SSI, SSD, or retirement benefits).
- Restrict housing providers from requiring a social security number to apply for housing.
- Restrict housing providers from having a blanket criminal history policy.
To provide comments on the proposed changes or to ask a question, please contact TacomaRHC@cityoftacoma.org, or join us for an informational session.