Courtesy of WMFHA & Landlord Solutions Inc …
HB 2484: TERMINATION NOTICES:
This is a new bill and it was given a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on January 13. The bill would require landlords and tenants to give 30-days notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. It would also require a landlord to give 60 days notice if the tenancy has been in existence more than one (1) year. The termination date could be any day of the month. The bill also requires a refund of any prepaid rent and provides that a tenant who gives notice but fails to vacate is guilty of unlawful detainer and can be evicted. Landlords testified in opposition to the bill but stated they would support a bill providing for a change in the law to require 30-days notice so long as the notice could be effective on any day selected by the landlord or the tenant.
HB 2438: DEFINITION OF SERVICE ANIMAL:
This bill would eliminate the requirement of training or certification for a service animal under our state laws regarding discrimination against the disabled in real estate transactions. A committee hearing was held on January 13. Landlords testified in opposition.
HB 2622: TENANT SCREENING:
This is a new bill and has some similarities to a screening bill introduced last year. It requires that a tenant’s screening report be “portable” for 60 days after it was initially issued. It also prohibits screening companies from reporting a filed eviction unless a final judgment was entered in favor of the landlord and against the tenant. Finally, it requires a landlord who denies an applicant or requires a larger security deposit, a co-signer, or some other increased security to give the applicant a written statement setting forth the reasons for the “adverse action.” There is a hearing scheduled for January 19
SB 6459: INSPECTIONS AND CIVIL SEARCH WARRANTS:
Representatives for landlords, tenants and various cities have been meeting for the past 3 months to try and work out mutually agreeable legislation that would put reasonable restrictions on any mandatory inspection program that a city might adopt. In return for these limitations, cities would be given authority to obtain a civil search warrant for rental property to look for housing code violations. In order to obtain the warrant, the city would have to satisfy a judge that there was “probable cause” to believe that code violations existed. The city would not be able to go on a “fishing expedition.” There is a hearing set for January 19 on the bill in its current draft form. The parties have also agreed to meet again on January 20 to continue their discussions in an attempt to resolve remaining disagreements.
HB 2618: STREET UTILITY TAX:
This bill authorizes cities to adopt a “street maintenance utility” to enable the city to charge property owners for street maintenance in relation to the burden that their properties put on city streets. This would mean that multifamily property owners would be charged based on the number of units at their property. A hearing is scheduled for January 20.
HB 2592: PROHIBITING INCENTIVES FOR TOWING FROM PRIVATE PROPERTY:
Several months ago a local TV station highlighted a local towing company that was offering rewards and gift cards to resident managers based on the number of tows authorized by the property. This bill would make the practice illegal. A hearing is set for January 18.
HB 2413 / HB 2414: CRIMINAL STREET GANGS:
These 2 bills are an attempt to deal with gang activities and the adverse affects that such activities can have on a community. The first bill sets up procedures that allow law enforcement to seize, forfeit and sell real or personal property used in connection with gang violence. The second bill authorizes occupants of a multifamily property and neighbors or any rental property to file a compliant seeking a declaration that the property is a nuisance. If a court determines that the property is a nuisance, the property can be closed for up to one year. This bill had a hearing on January 14.
SB 6261: CLARIFYING MUNICIPALLY OWNED UTILITIES’ COLLECTIONS FROM OWNERS:
This bill will make it clear that a municipally owned electric utility can only hold a rental property owner responsible for a maximum of 4 months unpaid bills if the tenant fails to pay. Current law provides that the utility has a lien against the property for up to 4 months of unpaid bills. However, some utilities have charged owners and required owners to pay more that 4 months of bill in order to continue, transfer or restore service. A hearing is set for January 19.
HB 2469: CANDIDATES ACCESS TO TENANTS:
This bill provides that a landlord may not unreasonably deny access to the premises to political candidates or their agents or those who are advocating for or against ballot measures. However, the bill would allow a landlord to provide in the rental agreement that the tenant authorizes the landlord to deny such access. No hearing has been set.
For additional information- visithttp://www.leg.wa.gov