Washington lawmakers clash over rent cap proposal
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A showdown is shaping up in Washington's Legislature over how much to let landlords raise rents, after the state House and Senate passed substantially different versions of a rent cap bill.
Why it matters: The legislation has advanced further in Olympia this year than ever before — but the dispute over how high to set the annual rent cap could doom its chances.
Catch up quick: As passed by the state House in March, House Bill 1217 would prevent landlords from raising rent on existing tenants by more than 7% per year.
- Landlords could reset rent at any level once a tenant moves out, and apartments that are less than 12 years old would be exempt from the cap.
Yes, but: The measure was amended on the Senate floor last week to allow annual rent increases of up to 10% plus the rate of inflation.
- That goes too far for many House members, who don't plan to approve the changes made by the Senate, House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon (D-Seattle) told Axios.
- A small group of lawmakers will now meet to try to hammer out a compromise between the two chambers, both of which are controlled by Democrats, state Rep. Strom Peterson (D-Edmonds), who chairs the House Housing Committee, told Axios.
What they're saying: Peterson said in years when inflation is high, the Senate changes would allow landlords to impose "15% or 18% rent increases" — more than double what would be allowed under the House plan.
- "Our members generally but not uniformly do not believe 10% plus inflation is a strong enough protection," Fitzgibbon told Axios.
The other side: State Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham), who sponsored the amendment to increase the cap, said on the Senate floor that she thinks a 7% cap is a "dangerous and risky policy" that could lead to lower housing supply and hurt the rental market.
- She cited Stanford research that found some San Francisco landlords took units off the market after the city expanded rent control in 1994.
Between the lines: Another point of contention is an amendment by the Senate to exempt many single-family homes from the rent-hike limits.
- "There are a lot of renters in single-family homes, and we think they deserve the predictability of a rent cap, just like people living in apartments," Fitzgibbon said.
- State Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), who sponsored the amendment, said on the Senate floor that he wants to ensure that landlords keep houses large enough for families on the rental market.
What's next: Fitzgibbon and Peterson said they think there is room to find a compromise with the Senate before the legislative session is scheduled to end April 27.