The Spokane City Council is set to vote on April 29th on an ordinance that would require landlords to provide tenants with a minimum of four months’ notice before increasing rent prices.
The ordinance goes beyond the standard set by the state legislature, which mandates a 60-day notice, by requiring landlords to give tenants a minimum of 120 days’ notice when raising rent by 3% or less. If the rent increase exceeds 3%, the minimum notice period increases to 180 days.
As per state law, tenants in subsidized housing only need a 30-day notice before the rent is increased, as stated in the ordinance.
Councilmember Paul Dillon recently filed documentation for the measure, recognizing the pressing need for tenants to have more time to secure alternative housing when faced with unaffordable rental prices.
Rent prices continue to rise in Spokane, exacerbating the ongoing housing crisis as vacancies remain scarce. Shockingly, over 21,000 households, representing a staggering 90% of renters in Spokane, were found to be spending more than 30% of their income on rent in 2022, according to the ordinance.
According to the ordinance, if the measure is approved and proves successful, it would serve as the city’s initial response to the growing issue of homelessness and would aim to enhance housing stability for low-income renters in the City of Spokane.
During Monday night’s weekly meeting, Terri Anderson, the interim executive director of the Tenants Union of Washington State, emphasized the importance of the city council adopting the ordinance.
“Rent increases are causing a rise in homelessness in Spokane,” Anderson explained. “Sixty days is simply not enough time for tenants to adjust when they are hit with substantial rent hikes.”
Rent in Spokane continues to rise, disproportionately impacting communities of color who make up a significant portion of the city’s renters.
Anderson urged the city to implement legislation that would ensure the availability of affordable housing for renters, similar to how the federal government introduced the 30-year mortgage to assist homeowners in the past.
According to her, tenants are forced to relocate when they are unable to afford the rent hike, even in cases where there are no alternative housing options available.
According to Steve Corker, the president of the Landlord Association of the Inland Northwest, the Legislature had the chance to address several bills during the recent session. However, they made the decision not to extend or make any changes to the current 60-day notice period for rent increases.
Corker pondered aloud, questioning the motivation behind their actions. He speculated that their decision was driven by concerns over the detrimental effects such ordinances might have on the accessibility of affordable housing for those with limited means.
According to a study conducted by the University of Washington, it has been suggested that large corporations are taking over the role of “mom and pop” landlords.
According to Corker, Spokane is different from what was previously mentioned.
The Landlord Association of the Inland Northwest, which consists of approximately 500 members overseeing 1,200 homes, has witnessed the financial strain experienced by some of its members. During a recent renewal period, six members expressed their need to sell their rental properties due to the challenging financial circumstances they were facing.
Big investors are pushing the private sector away from low-income housing, claims Corker. They acquire properties and carry out renovations that the previous owners couldn’t afford, subsequently increasing the rent by hundreds of dollars.
“The families in our community rely on the homes provided by our small landlords,” he emphasized. “In this town, families require more than just a one or two-bedroom apartment.”