CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to notices to residential rental tenants; requiring certain notices to contain a reference to City landlord-tenant information and resources; and amending Section 22.206.180 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, the rental relationship between landlords and tenants requires clear communication and knowledge of rights and responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, in September 2018, the Seattle Women’s Commission and the King County Bar Association jointly published Losing Home: The Human Cost of Eviction in Seattle, finding that families who are evicted face material hardships that make it more difficult to secure safe and affordable housing and that the most disadvantaged groups face the highest likelihood of eviction; and
WHEREAS, lack of information on tenant rights, responsibilities, and supportive resources may increase the likelihood of an eviction; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 22.206.180 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 125054, is amended as follows:
22.206.180 Prohibited acts by owners
Except as otherwise specifically required or allowed by this Title 22 or by the Washington State Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, chapter 59.18 RCW, it is unlawful for any owner to:
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K. Issue a notice to terminate tenancy, increase housing costs, or enter a unit unless that notice contains a reference on how to access information on the rights and obligations of tenants and landlords. The reference language on the notices shall be adopted by the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections by rule.
Section 2. If any section or subsection of the Seattle Municipal Code affected by this ordinance is amended by ordinance without reference to amendments made by this ordinance, each ordinance shall be given effect to the extent that the amendments do not conflict in purpose, and the code reviser may publish the section or subsection in the official code with all amendments incorporated therein.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2019, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________________, 2019.
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President ____________ of the City Council
Approved by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2019.
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Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2019.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)