FINAL BILL REPORT
ESHB 1440
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
C 105 L 19
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Providing longer notice of rent increases.
Sponsors: House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Robinson, Macri, Riccelli, Gregerson, Doglio, Tarleton, Kloba, Frame, Jinkins, Morgan, Ortiz-Self and Ormsby).
House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary
Senate Committee on Financial Institutions, Economic Development & Trade
Background:
The Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA) regulates the creation of residential tenancies and the relationship between landlords and tenants of residential dwelling units. The RLTA establishes rights and duties of both tenants and landlords, procedures for the parties to enforce their rights, and remedies for violations of the RLTA.
A rental agreement may establish a tenancy for a specified period of time (e.g., one year) or a periodic tenancy (e.g., month to month). A tenancy for a specified time, also called a lease, is terminated at the end of the specified period. A periodic tenancy is automatically renewed until terminated by either the tenant or the landlord according to statutory notice requirements.
A landlord may change the rent price and other terms of the tenancy by providing all the affected tenants with 30-day prior written notice of the change. A change in rent or other terms of the tenancy becomes effective at the end of the rental term, or sooner with mutual consent.
A termination of tenancy is not a change of rule. A landlord or tenant may terminate a periodic tenancy by providing written notice of termination at least 20 days prior to the end of the month.
Summary:
Except for rental agreements governing certain subsidized tenancies, a landlord must provide each affected tenant a minimum of 60 days' prior written notice of an increase in the amount of rent, and any rent increase may not become effective before the end of the term of the rental agreement.
In the case of a rental agreement governing subsidized tenancies where the rental amount is based on the income of the tenant or circumstances specific to the subsidized household, the landlord must provide 30 days' prior notice of the rent increase and the rent increase may become effective at the end of the rental term or sooner upon mutual consent.
Votes on Final Passage:
House | 62 | 36 | |
Senate | 29 | 18 |
Effective: | July 28, 2019 |