The economy feels pretty uncertain these days. As was reported recently in the Lynnwood Times, due to tariffs, many Washingtonians could suddenly find themselves paying a fair bit more for everyday items. Now, more than ever, our legislature should take action to bring economic stability to Washingtonians.
That’s why I hope the Washington legislature will pass HB 1217/SB 5222, a “rent stabilization” bill, which will prevent rent gouging and prohibit predatory fees to bring stability to the nearly 40% of Washington households who are renters.
Right now, excessive rent increases are outpacing incomes, disproportionately impacting seniors and families with children, and are a key driver of displacing people from their homes. Since I moved into a mobile home community, my lot rent has increased by double or triple the rate of inflation each year. If this continues unchecked, there is nowhere cheaper I could move.
Passing HB 1217/SB 5222 will give Washingtonians peace of mind that they won’t be suddenly priced out of their homes due to rent gouging. I hope legislators will act to pass this bill this session — this relief can’t come soon enough.
Kristen Fowler, Lynnwood, WA
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
One Response
Landlord Acknowledgment
I recently attended a Town Hall Meeting at Mariner High School.
It began with a “Land Acknowledgement” statement.
The statement acknowledges the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish Tribes.
History
The Point Elliott Treaty, signed in 1855 by representatives of the United States government and many tribes guaranteed fishing rights and reservations.
The treaty abolished slavery.
Rent Control
The Washington State Legislature is considering a bill to impose a 7% cap on how much landlords can raise rents each year and would add to current regulations like how much notice of a rent increase is required.
Landlords help people live under a roof (if they want to) and pay property taxes that fund schools, state and local governments and emergency services.
By offering rentals, people can:
o have mobility where they live. (Renters are not tied to mortgages that often last 30 years.)
o choose neighborhoods for schools, convenience to work and sometimes to live near family or friends.
o choose how much they want to budget for monthly living expenses by a selection process.
Landlords are part of our community and have been for a long time. They are partners in keeping communities stable and vibrant. Without them people lose flexibility in their housing choices.
Perhaps it is time to offer a Landlord Acknowledgment statement to educate every one of the things that happen when someone buys a property and then offers it to rent, sometimes to a total stranger.