Title
Renter Protections Briefing
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Discuss proposed relocation assistance requirements and move to forward recommendations to the City Council for a public hearing and approval of an ordinance adopting the recommendations.
Report
Issue:
Discuss proposed relocation assistance requirements and move to forward recommendations to the City Council for a public hearing and approval of an ordinance adopting the recommendations.
Staff Contact:
Christa Lenssen, Senior Housing Program Specialist, Office of Community Vitality, 360.570.3762
Presenter(s):
Christa Lenssen, Senior Housing Program Specialist, Office of Community Vitality
Background and Analysis:
At a Council study session in August 2023, staff presented a proposal for a rental housing registry and inspection program, as well as information regarding tenant relocation assistance, late fees and other types of fees. In November 2023, Council approved a proposal to establish a rental housing registry and inspection program that will address housing conditions.
Relocation Assistance
Council directed staff to draft code language to establish relocation assistance measures for tenants who are displaced when their housing unit is condemned, demolished or requires substantial repairs. Staff will present an overview of proposed code language to create two new relocation assistance measures to address tenant displacement. State law (RCW 59.18.085) requires a landlord to pay relocation assistance if the property is condemned or deemed unlawful to occupy by a government enforcement entity (not required if a natural disaster occurs, because of eminent domain, or caused by a tenant or other third party). Staff has drafted code language similar to Tukwila and Lakewood, which requires landlords to comply with state law and to pay relocation assistance if the property is condemned. If the landlord does not provide th...
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