On July 11, 2023, the Tacoma City Council passed Amended Substitute Ordinance 28894, which updated the Rental Housing Code (TMC 1.95, RHC) which went into effect on July 24, 2023.
New Requirements for Landlords
- 120-day written notice needed before increasing rent
- New standards that apply to shared housing arrangements
- Standardization of tenant screening criteria
- Limitations on imposing late fees and withholding pet
damage deposits
- Stronger business license, health, and safety
requirements
- New rental agreement regulations
- Requirement to advise tenants of option to pay move-in
fees in installments
Notices to Increase Rent
A 120-day written notice to the tenant will now be
required. Subsidized housing and deed-restricted affordable housing are exempt
from this requirement.
Standardized Tenant Screening Criteria
Landlords cannot:
- Exceed maximum income-to-rent ratios [Note: The City
establishes its limits on income-to-rent ratio based on Fair Market Rent (FMR)
– or what someone would typically pay for a moderately priced unit in a given
area.]
- Place blanket bans on prospective tenants with felony
or drug convictions, and arrest records
- Require a Social Security Number as the only way to
conduct screening [Note: Alternative proof to establish eligibility must be
accepted.]
Rental Agreement Regulations
On rental agreements, landlords are:
- Required to state the legal number of occupants and
habitable spaces in the unit.
- Required to provide a name and physical address, in
addition to any rental portals or online tools to pay rent, request repairs,
and file complaints. [Note: If a landlord does not reside in the state of
Washington, there must also be an authorized agent who resides within Pierce
County, as outlined in RCW 59.18.060(15).]
- Prohibited from regulating or restricting dogs based on
breeds, unless they have an insurance company-required breed restriction,
provided that any breed of service animal shall be allowed.
Standards for Fees and Deposits
Late fees cannot
exceed 1.5 percent of monthly rent, with a maximum limit of $75 per month, and
landlords must actively take steps to recover late fees during tenancy by
serving quarterly notices or invoices, and tenants will have more time to pay
move-in fees, depending on length and type of rental agreement. Landlords will
be prohibited from:
- Withholding late fees from deposits, or reporting
information regarding late fees to prospective landlords at the end of tenancy,
if late fees were not addressed during tenancy
- Assessing late fees on charges that are not rent, such
as installment payments, deposits, or amenities like parking • Requiring a pet
damage deposit exceeding 25 percent of one month’s rent
- Withholding full refund of a tenant’s pet damage
deposit if unused
Shared Housing Standards
For shared housing arrangements (where a tenant rents a
private room or shared room, but shares common areas such as a kitchen,
gathering spaces, and/or bathroom with other tenants), the following
requirements will apply:
- The master lease holder must share contact information
for any subleasing tenants with the landlord, and the landlord’s contact
information with any subleasing tenants.
- When renting to
four or more tenants, separate rental agreements for each habitable space (i.e.
spaces used for living, sleeping, eating or cooking) are required
- The landlord is required to serve any notices that can
lead to eviction to the master lease holder and provide the master lease holder
with additional copies of notices to serve each subleasing tenant.
- If subleasing tenants are not provided a written notice
of eviction, the landlord must allow the subleasing tenants an additional 30
days to vacate after the eviction order is issued, or as ordered by the court.
Business License, Health, and Safety Requirements
A landlord will not be able to pursue eviction or
increase rent without a current City of Tacoma rental business license or if a
dwelling unit does not comply with RCW 59.18.060 and presents conditions that
endanger or impair tenant health and safety.
Resources for Landlords
If during tenancy, a landlord must serve a tenant with a notice under RCW 59.12.030 or TMC 1.95, the landlord is also required to serve the notice of resources prepared by the City. These notices are included in the Tenant Information Packet. Below are resources for landlords for the Rental Housing Code.
Rental Housing Code
Read the Rental Housing Code (TMC 1.95).
Check Back Soon for The Updated Tenant Information Packet
In the meantime, to remain in compliance, provide the tenant with a copy of the current Tenant Information Packet and a copy of the Rental Housing Code Flyer.
Download the Tenant Information Packet
Rental Housing Code Flyer
Notice of Resources-Required
City of Tacoma Notices-Courtesy