On May 7, 2025, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1217 into law, enacting statewide rent control measures aimed at stabilizing housing costs and preventing homelessness. The legislation caps annual rent increases at 7% plus inflation or 10%, whichever is lower, for most rental properties, including single-family homes. For manufactured and mobile homes, the cap is set at 5% annually.
The law, effective immediately, includes several key provisions:
- Duration: The rent increase caps will remain in effect until 2040.
- Exemptions: Newly constructed housing units are exempt from the caps for their first 12 years.
- Notice Requirements: Landlords must provide 90 days’ notice for any rent increases, up from the previous 60-day requirement.
Supporters of the bill, including Sen. Emily Alvarado (D-Seattle), argue that the measure provides essential protections for renters facing steep housing costs, stating that “housing is not a luxury. It’s a basic human need.”
However, landlord associations and some developers express concerns that the rent caps may discourage new housing construction and reduce the overall rental housing supply, potentially exacerbating the housing shortage.
