Bill To Cap Rent Increases Introduced In Olympia

OLYMPIA, WA — A pair of bills in the Washington statehouse seek to tamp down on excessive rent hikes and grant the Attorney General more power to investigate "unscrupulous landlords" suspected of predatory practices.

State Reps. Alex Ramel (D-Bellingham) and Nicole Macri (D-Seattle) introduced the legislation last week, with both bills garnering more than two dozen co-sponsors.

Ramel's House Bill 1389 centers on stability for renters, capping annual hikes to the rate of inflation or 3 percent — whichever figure is higher — for a maximum increase of 7 percent. Under the proposed law, a landlord who chooses to skip a rent increase in a given year can "bank" the increase to apply in the next year.

"Rapidly rising rents, especially predatory increases are the driving factors behind the displacement that is destroying our communities," Ramel said in a statement. "Studies show that for every $100 increase in rent, there is a 9 percent increase in homelessness. It is not sustainable to drive families out of their homes or out of our communities. At a time where working families face more economic pressure than ever before, this provides a certain level of stability."

The bill includes several exemptions, including for landlords with newer units, or those who already offer income-based rates. Landlords who are navigating economic hardship or actively making improvements to their property may also seek exemptions, officials said.

The second piece of legislation, Macri's House Bill 1388, would make violating the new cap a violation of the Consumer Protection Act, allowing the state Attorney General to investigate and levy civil penalties, along with granting tenants the ability to sue landlords directly.

"The recent uptick in rental rates has been used to deny people stability," Macri said. "It’s just plain wrong, and it’s harming our communities. Washington renters deserve stability and protection from those who would use excessive rent to push people out of their homes or deny them of vital legal protections."

The bills are part of Democratic lawmakers' broader priorities to address housing and homelessness this legislative session.