Washington Lawmakers Eye Rent Stabilization

Democrats are pushing for a statewide rent stabilization bill that would give renters some protections while offering more flexibility for landlords than blanket rent control policies.

1 minute read

January 14, 2025, 11:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Aerial view of Olympia, Washington with state cpaitol dome in foreground on a somewhat cloudy day.

adonis_abril / Adobe Stock

Democratic Washington state lawmakers have their eye on rent stabilization in the upcoming legislative session, writes Ryan Packer in The Urbanist. “While dozens of bills intended to increase the affordability of housing will be debated over the coming weeks, passing a statewide rent stabilization bill has emerged as a major priority for the caucus.”

Lawmakers are proposing a “more measured and surgical” approach to rent stabilization that is less broad than flat rent control policies. According to Packer, “House Bill 1217 would cap annual rent increases at seven percent and prohibit landlords from raising rent by any amount in the first year of tenancy. The bill exempts newly constructed apartments for their first 10 years, existing buildings that are less than 11 years old, public housing, and small rental arrangements, such as a homeowner who only rents out their accessory dwelling unit (ADU).”

The proposed bill would also cap move-in fees and security deposits, limit increases on late rent, and require a six month’s notice for rent increases over three percent. The proposal would not regulate how much a landlord can raise the rent between tenants. 

Monday, January 13, 2025 in The Urbanist

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Black and white photos of camp made up of small 'earthquake shacks' in Dolores Park in 1906 after the San Francisco earthquake.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees

More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

April 15, 2025 - Charles F. Bloszies

Millbrae BART station.

HSR Reaches Key Settlement in Northern California City

The state’s high-speed rail authority reached an agreement with Millbrae, a key city on the train’s proposed route to San Francisco.

April 24 - San Diego Post

Spiral ramp on exterior of parking garage in downtown Spokane, Washington.

Washington State Legislature Passes Parking Reform Bill

A bill that would limit parking requirements for new developments is headed to the governor’s desk.

April 24 - OPB

Missouri state capitol dome in Jefferson City, MO.

Missouri Law Would Ban Protections for Housing Voucher Users

A state law seeks to overturn source-of-income discrimination bans passed by several Missouri cities.

April 24 - Missouri Independent