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HB 1217

Improving housing stability for tenants subject to the residential landlord-tenant act and the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act by limiting rent and fee increases, requiring notice of rent and fee increases, limiting fees and deposits, establishing a landlord resource center and associated services, authorizing tenant lease termination, creating parity between lease types, and providing for attorney general enforcement.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Emily Alvarado and 33 co-sponsors

Washington law caps residential rent increases, limits fees/deposits, mandates advance notice, and creates uniform protections for apartment and mobile home tenants effective immediately.

Effective date 5/7/2025.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1217

Legislative bill overview

HB 1217 comprehensively regulates residential rental markets in Washington by capping annual rent increases, requiring advance notice of rent and fee changes, limiting security deposits and other fees, and establishing a landlord resource center. The bill creates uniform protections across standard apartments and manufactured/mobile homes, allows tenants to break leases under certain conditions, and grants the Attorney General enforcement authority.

Why is this important

Housing affordability is a critical issue affecting renters across Washington, and this bill directly addresses tenant vulnerability to rapid rent escalation and excessive fees. The law takes effect immediately and applies statewide, potentially impacting hundreds of thousands of rental households and thousands of landlords' business operations.

Potential points of contention

  • Rent cap mechanism: The specific percentage limits on annual increases may constrain landlords' ability to adjust for inflation, maintenance costs, property taxes, and market conditions, potentially affecting housing supply and investment in rental properties
  • Economic burden on small landlords: Independent property owners may struggle more with fixed caps than large corporate landlords, potentially accelerating consolidation in the rental market
  • Lease termination provisions: Allowing tenants to exit leases could create uncertainty for landlords' revenue planning and may be challenged as contract interference depending on the specific termination triggers included in the statute

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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