SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. – The impact of the state’s rent stabilization bill is already felt by Spokane County county renters this week.
Governor Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1217 into law on May 7. The legislation limits rent increases for existing tenants in Washington State to 7% plus inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower. It does not include new apartments that are built in the last decade. It also does not include low income housing, as that is controlled by the federal government.
One Spokane Valley renter received a notice from their apartment complex informing them their lease renewal, which they had previously signed, was no longer in effect.
The tenant had just accepted a new lease agreement, where they would receive a 16% rent increase. This particular tenant later learned they received the notice in error. However, they were informed by the leasing agency that other tenants in the building did receive the notice as well.
“The worry is that was an extended lease offer, so a long term lease, and the worry would be that they’d switch ’em to a month-to-month. And that’s problematic. But, it will keep their rent lower if they lower the increase from 16 to 10%. So, for current renters, rent control is a protection. It’s a vital protection, especially when you see rents rising over 50% in a 3 year period,” Ben Stuckart, the executive director of the Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium, said.
Meanwhile, NonStop Local did reach out to the renter’s apartment complex to get more information. The property manager said she would not be able to comment and referred NonStop Local to the leasing company. NonStop Local reached out Tuesday morning and has not heard back by end of day.
NonStop Local also reached out to the Governor’s Office for comment, but is still waiting to hear back.
