CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE amending Sections 7.24.020, 7.24.030, 7.24.040, 7.24.050, and 7.24.060 of the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC); and adding new Sections 7.24.035 and 7.24.036 to the SMC; to limit the amount of security deposits and non-refundable move-in fees for residential rental properties and to allow residential tenants to pay security deposits, non-refundable move-in fees, and last month's rent in installments.
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WHEREAS, before moving into a rental unit, landlords typically require that tenants pay some type of security deposit to ensure that the tenant will comply with certain provisions of the rental agreement, such as payment for damage to the dwelling unit or cleaning the unit when the tenant vacates the unit; and
WHEREAS, before moving into a rental unit, landlords sometimes also require payment of non-refundable fees such as fees for tenant screening reports or cleaning; and
WHEREAS, before moving into a rental unit, landlords typically require that tenants prepay the last month's rent; and
WHEREAS, rents in Seattle have been increasing rapidly and vacancies in rental housing are at low levels, making it increasingly difficult for tenants, especially those with limited finances, to obtain rental housing; and
WHEREAS, rent increases may cause a tenant to move due to inability to pay the increased rent; and
WHEREAS, these conditions in the rental market have created a relocation crisis, because tenants, especially those with limited finances, may be unable to save money to pay security deposits, non-refundable move-in fees, and last month's rent; and
WHEREAS, payment of security deposits, nonrefundable move-in fees, and last month's rent in advance of tenancy, especially for people with limited finances, is one of the barriers to obtaining housing; and
WHEREAS, limiting the amount a landlord can charge for a security deposit and non-refundable move-in fees will help reduce t...
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