King County Approves Just Cause Eviction Rules, Caps Move-In Fees

KING COUNTY, WA — The King County Council has approved a package of new tenant protections, including caps on various move-in fees, more notice required for rent increases, and a stronger "just cause" criteria that must be met before evictions can take place. Last week, Gov. Jay Inslee announced a "bridge" to extend some statewide eviction protections through September, and Seattle extended its moratorium earlier in the month.

The county-level protections will apply to an estimated 25,000 renters in unincorporated King County, which is roughly 22 percent of households.

"We've heard clearly from advocates, renters, experts, and community members that unless we do something, King county will likely face a wave of evictions as the economy recovers and COVID era renters protections are gradually lifted," said Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles, one of the legislation's three sponsors. "While Gov. Inslee has extended the statewide eviction moratorium, it's a temporary fix, not a long-term solution to the challenges that renters face in securing and maintaining safe and affordable housing in this region."

Welles sponsored the tenant package with fellow Councilmembers Girmay Zahilay and Dave Upthegrove. The strengthened eviction rules go beyond those enshrined in state law and require landlords to prove "just causes" before terminating month-to-month tenancies, starting eviction proceedings, or declining to renew lease agreements.

Other protections in the package include:

• Cap move-in, security and other fees and deposits and allow incremental payment
• Require landlords to give up to 4 months’ notice for significant rent increases
• Prohibit rent hikes in unsafe or unlivable housing
• Allow tenants to adjust rent due date if they live on fixed income
• Add protections against eviction over late rent
• Prohibit landlords from requiring Social Security number for pre-rental screening

Even before the pandemic, officials said more no-cause evictions took place in unincorporated communities in 2019 than anywhere else in King County.

"The legislation that passed today is a powerful and fair tenant protections package that will keep individuals and families in unincorporated King County housed and stable, while respecting landlords' rights to collect rent and impose fair evictions when needed," Welles said.

The legislation also requires the King County Executive's Office to come up with a plan to inform residents about the new law and set up a hotline for tenants to report violations. Landlords found in violation of the policy could be liable in court.