Join Seattle DCI on August 27 at the free Seattle-King County Resource Day. We will have rental housing information staff and building and electrical inspectors on site to answer your questions related to building and electrical permits, rental and housing inspections, and tenant rights.
New Rules for Landlords Help Protect Tenants
On July 10, new legislation became effective that prohibits rent increases on units that fail to meet minimum rental housing standards and gives Seattle DCI enforcement authority over “prohibited acts by owners.”
Rental Housing Registration and Inspection Program Draft Ordinance Now Available for Review
The proposed Rental Housing Registration and Inspection Program has been developed to help address the issue, and will provide for proactive inspections of most rental housing in Seattle. The City currently has a complaint-based system; potential violations are reported to the department, we then inspect, and if violations are found, action is taken to gain compliance. This program will continue. However, not all and perhaps some of the most egregious code violations are never reported due to lack of knowledge of basic code standards, fear of retaliation, or lack of familiarity with the enforcement system.
Proposed Rental Housing Inspection Program
In 2010 the City Council passed Ordinance No. 123311 establishing a Residential Rental Business License and Inspection Program. However, recognizing the need for additional consideration of program details and policy issues, the Council also adopted Resolution No. 31221 requesting DPD to gather stakeholder input and develop program recommendations concerning twelve specific policy questions.
