Landlord-Tenant & Housing Development Bills in the 2025 Washington Legislature

IMPORTANT NOTE:?This list is long and can seem intimidating for you. It's important to remember that not all of these bills will leave the committee. I'll be watching these and posting updates here. I anticipate updates after February 21, 28th, and March 12, when specific reports are due. If I receive updates from the Washington Multifamily Housing Association on which bills they are supporting and opposing, I will also post that here. They are currently opposing HB 1217 and SB 5222, which would limit rent increases to 7%, which is even lower than the maximum 10% allowed in Oregon. If you notice an important bill missing from this list, please message me.

(UPDATED 02/05/2025)

Compiled by Aaron Kirk Douglas , Director of Market Intelligence

Rent Controls:

House Bill 1217: Aims to improve housing stability for tenants by limiting rent and fee increases to 7% during any 12 months and prohibiting any increases during the first 12 months of a tenancy. It also requires notice of rent and fee increases, limits fees and deposits, establishes a landlord resource center, authorizes tenant lease termination under certain conditions, and provides for Attorney General enforcement.

Senate Bill 5222: Companion bill to House Bill 1217, which seeks to improve housing stability for tenants by limiting rent and fee increases to 7% during any 12 months and prohibiting increases during the first 12 months of a tenancy. It includes provisions for notice requirements, limits on fees and deposits, establishment of a landlord resource center, tenant lease termination rights, and enforcement mechanisms.

Eviction Reforms:

House Bill 1089: Introduce reforms to the eviction process, including the appointment of court commissioners, changes to the summons and complaint process, and specific conditions under which landlords can evict tenants. It clarifies tenant obligations and the grounds for eviction, aiming to streamline the process and enhance tenant safety.

Tenant Protections:

House Bill 1088: Establishes task force to review and recommend updates to the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, aiming to address emerging challenges and ensure fair treatment for both landlords and tenants. It also imposes a 36-month moratorium on new local regulations affecting the landlord-tenant relationship.

House Bill 1099: Expands tenant assistance programs, providing resources such as legal aid, rental assistance, and support services to prevent evictions and promote housing stability.

Senate Bill 5313: Adds to the list of provisions prohibited from rental agreements, including waivers of tenant rights, nondisclosure agreements, and requirements to use nonessential services. It aims to protect tenant rights and ensure fair rental practices.

Senate Bill 5469: Addresses the use of artificial intelligence in determining rental prices, ensuring that algorithmic pricing tools do not contribute to unfair rent increases or discriminatory practices.

Security Deposits and Lease Termination:

House Bill 1217: Limits move-in fees and security deposits to no more than one month's rent and caps late fees at 1.5% of the tenant's monthly rent.?It also gives tenants the right to terminate their lease under certain conditions, such as when a landlord increases rent beyond the allowed limit without a qualifying exemption.

Senate Bill 5222: Mirrors the provisions in House Bill 1217 regarding limitations on move-in fees, security deposits, and late fees. It also grants tenants the right to terminate their lease if the landlord imposes rent increases exceeding the stipulated cap without proper exemption.

Multifamily Development and Housing Supply:

House Bill 1108: Creates a task force to analyze housing cost drivers in Washington state, aiming to identify and address factors contributing to high housing costs. The task force will report its findings and recommendations by December 1, 2026.

House Bill 1160: Reform the design review process for new developments, aiming to streamline approvals, reduce project delays, and encourage innovative architectural solutions.

House Bill 1299: Proposes parking mandate reforms, aiming to reduce costs and support transit-oriented development by capping required parking spaces.

House Bill 1443: Addresses regulations surrounding multi-dwelling units, focusing on aspects such as utility infrastructure, building design, and tenant protections to support higher-density housing developments.

House Bill 1491: Promotes development near public transit hubs, supporting higher-density housing and mixed-use projects to reduce reliance on cars and enhance public transportation efficiency.

Senate Bill 5148: Establishes accountability measures for housing production goals, ensuring that municipalities meet state-mandated targets for new housing construction to address housing shortages.

Senate Bill 5184: Seeks to limit parking requirements for new developments, aiming to reduce construction costs and promote land-use efficiency.

Senate Bill 5332: Focuses on regulatory frameworks for multi-dwelling units to support efficient land use and diverse housing types, complementing House Bill 1443.

Housing Finance and Affordability:

HouBill 1365: Establishes a rental assistance program for low-income tenants of manufactured/mobile home parks, providing monetary assistance to help cover rent increases. The bill appropriates $2 million for the program and outlines eligibility criteria and application processes.

Senate Bill 5232: Updates eligible uses for the Essential Needs and Housing Support Program, allowing funds to be used for direct cash assistance and expanding eligibility to include low-income elderly or disabled adults transitioning off benefits.

State Clawback of Local Ordinances Regarding Landlord-Tenant Law:

Senate Bill 5661: Preempts local regulations on the landlord-tenant relationship, asserting that such regulations are of statewide significance and should be governed by state law. It aims to create consistency in housing regulations across Washington state.

Deadlines:

January 13, 2025: Session began

February 21, 2025: Policy Committee Cutoff – This is the last day to read in committee reports in the House of Origin, except for House fiscal committees and Senate Ways & Means and Transportation committees.

February 28, 2025: Fiscal Committee Cutoff – The final day to read in committee reports from House fiscal committees and Senate Ways & Means and Transportation committees in the House of Origin.

March 12, 2025: House of Origin Cutoff – The deadline for bills to be considered in their house of origin by 5 p.m.

April 27, 2025 – Session adjourns (105-day cutoff).

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

Interested in a particular bill and want to contact representatives on the committee it's in? Search here: https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/bills/ for the contacts.

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