HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1462

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.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Civil Rights & Judiciary

Title: An act relating to providing notice of plans to demolish, substantially rehabilitate, or change use of residential premises.

Brief Description: Providing notice of plans to demolish, substantially rehabilitate, or change use of residential premises.

Sponsors: Representatives Barkis, Reeves, Kirby, Riccelli, Jenkin, Stokesbary, Gildon, Walsh, Chambers, Dye, Hoff, Volz and Irwin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Civil Rights & Judiciary: 2/5/19, 2/15/19 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires a landlord under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act to provide at least 120 days' written notice to a tenant whenever the landlord plans to demolish or substantially rehabilitate premises or plans a change of use of premises.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL RIGHTS & JUDICIARY

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Jinkins, Chair; Thai, Vice Chair; Irwin, Ranking Minority Member; Dufault, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Goodman, Graham, Hansen, Kilduff, Kirby, Klippert, Orwall, Shea, Valdez and Walen.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Ybarra.

Staff: Cece Clynch (786-7195).

Background:

The Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA) regulates the relationship between residential landlords and tenants, and includes provisions regarding the duties of tenants and landlords, remedies for violations of those duties, and definitions. Subject to a few exceptions spelled out in statute, the rental of a dwelling unit for living purposes is generally covered under the RLTA. "Dwelling unit" is a structure or that part of a structure which is used as a home, residence, or sleeping place.

A tenancy for a specified time such as one year, sometimes also called a lease, is deemed terminated at the end of the specified period. Alternatively, premises may be rented for an indefinite time, from period to period or month to month. Generally, such a tenancy is automatically renewed for another period until terminated by either the landlord or the tenant by giving at least 20 days' written notice prior to the end of any of the months or periods of tenancy.

A landlord under the RLTA must provide longer notice in certain situations:

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Summary of Bill:

A landlord under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act must provide at least 120 days' written notice to a tenant whenever the landlord plans to demolish or substantially rehabilitate premises or plans a change of use of premises.

Certain terms are defined as follows:

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The idea for this bill came out of recent headlines.  In Burien, Tacoma, and Spokane, there were changes with respect to the use of some significant buildings which forced tenants to have to relocate very quickly with little notice.  Tenants need more time.  Landlords already have to spend a considerable amount of time getting their plans ready and obtaining permits.  They might as well give tenants more time to plan and move.  Although this does not occur very often, in the situations which have been seen recently there was a significant impact, and a significant number of tenants were affected. This is modelled after current law, RCW 59.18.200, that pertains to the notice required for condominium conversions and changes to policies that prohibit children. The fear expressed by some that landlords will duck the 120-day notice provisions of this bill and just use a 20-day notice have not been seen with respect to the longer notice requirements found in RCW 59.18.200. Landlords and property managers deal with people, are generally empathetic, and rarely take action without cause. A 50-year old building is going to have to be substantially rehabilitated at some point.

(Opposed) None.

(Other) This bill is a good, positive first step, but does not go far enough.  Without requiring cause for eviction, this will not work.  A landlord can just get around this by using a 20-day notice to terminate, and the tenants will not even know of the landlord's noncompliance with this 120-day requirement until after he or she loses his or her home.  The no-cause loophole must be closed. After 14 years living at the Tiki Apartments in Tacoma, tenants had to leave with little notice.  When a lease is up it is very scary for the tenants because landlords do not have to have cause to evict.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Barkis, prime sponsor; Kyle Woodring, Rental Housing Association; Kathryn Hedrick, Washington Multifamily Housing Association; and Lyle Crews, National Association of Rental Property Managers.

(Other) Michele Thomas, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance; Debbie Simmons; and Edmund Witter, King County Bar Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.