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Woodinville Passes New Tenant Protections

On November 19th, Woodinville City Council passed Ordinance 755, which includes the following new rights for renters in the city of Woodinville:

  • Notice of Rights. Require landlords to provide tenants a notice of their rights under new lease agreements. A model notice compliant with this section shall be available for download from the City's website.
  • Notice of Rent and Fee Increases. Any rental agreement following the effective date shall include a provision requiring not less than: 
    • A minimum of 120 days' written notice of rent and fee increases greater than 3%,
    • 180-days’ notice of rent and fee increases greater than 10%, except in subsidized housing where rent is set based on the income of the tenant.
    • Any increase in fees charged to a tenant shall be deemed to be a rent increase.
  • Right to Privacy. Allow landlords to request but not require a prospective tenant’s social security number as part of the screening process.
  • Notice of Intent for Nonrenewal. Require landlords to provide a minimum of 120 days’ written notice for intent of the landlord to not offer lease renewal opportunity for fixed term leases of six months or longer.
  • Limits on Move-In Fees. Establish a cap on move-in fees and security deposits of no more than one month's rent except in subsidized tenancies where rent is set based on the income of the tenant
  • Installments for Move-In Expenses. Allow tenants the right to pay certain upfront fees in an installment plan instead of all at once. 
    • Tenants entering rental agreements with terms lasting six or more months may choose to pay their move in fees and security deposits in six equal monthly installments over the first six months occupying the dwelling unit.
    • Tenants entering rental agreements with terms lasting fewer than six months or month-to-month rental agreements may choose to pay move in fees and security deposits in two equal monthly installments over the first two months occupying the dwelling unit.

The new ordinance is set to go into effect 120 days after passage, which will occur on March 18, 2025.

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