OLYMPIA — A revised version of rent stabilization legislation, House Bill 1217, was proposed by a conference committee of House and Senate members Thursday. The bill could potentially be voted on as soon as Friday evening.  

The proposed compromise would cap rent increases at 7% plus inflation or 10%, whichever is less, while preserving much of the policy from earlier versions. Unlike the Senate-passed version, it would not exempt single-family homes from the cap. However, it would exempt new construction for 12 years, as well as affordable housing managed by non-profit organizations and public housing authorities. The cap on residential rents would sunset after 15 years. It would also cap rent increases for manufactured and mobile homes at 5% – this provision does not sunset. 

“Forty percent of the people in this state are renters or manufactured homeowners, and without this bill, they have zero protections about how high their rent can go,” said Sen. Emily Alvarado (D-West Seattle), the original sponsor of HB 1217.  

“The number one issue in this state is affordability, and as everyone knows, housing is the single greatest cost in a household budget. This bill is a simple guardrail for the many renters in this state who just want to make sure that they can have a little bit of control in that household budget and plan and save. Moving this bill forward is a real step to provide people with stability and predictability in their lives.” 

“Rent stabilization is an essential part of our affordable housing strategy this year,” said Sen. Jessica Bateman (D-Olympia), Senate Housing Committee chair. “We’re making tremendous progress on legislation to expand our housing supply, but that’s not all we must do. Washingtonians know our housing crisis is out of control, and we need affordability relief now. People struggling to afford their home deserve a bill that responds to their concerns and meets their needs, and this proposal steps up to provide Washingtonians the protections they deserve.” 

Landlords must give at least a 90-day written notice before rent increases, providing tenants more time to plan.  

The bill must pass the House and Senate before session’s end on April 27.  

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