Kirkland Council Approves New Tenant Protection Rules

KIRKLAND, WA — The Kirkland City Council this week narrowly approved a new ordinance to boost protections for renters by capping move-in fees and requiring landlords to give tenants more notice for most rent increases.

The bill hinges on two new regulations. For rent, property owners will be required to give written notice for increases above 3 percent 120 days prior, and 180 days notice for increases above ten percent. The ordinance also mandates that move-in fees and security deposits cannot amount to more than a single month's rent.

"The economic impacts of the pandemic and inflation continue to burden both our renters and housing providers," Deputy Mayor Jay Arnold said Thursday. "Although there are no simple solutions to the housing-related challenges in our region, these tenant protections help provide stability and clarity to both housing providers and renters."

The regulations passed on a 4-3 vote Wednesday, with Mayor Penny Sweet, Toby Nixon and Jon Pascal voting no.

In a news release Thursday, the city said the vote followed engagement with both tenant rights groups and housing providers and the legislation was designed to build on broader affordable housing efforts across the city.