Tenant Protections & Rental Assistance

This month, my colleagues and I have passed multiple pieces of legislation to protect tenants and help families stay housed throughout the COVID-19 crisis. No one should lose their home because of this global pandemic, and this situation requires us to implement time-limited protections to respond to the crisis and provide renters a sense of stability as we chart a path towards recovery. I am proud of the work we are doing here in Seattle to identify policies that can help those who are among the most impacted by the crisis. However, none of these newly adopted policies completely prevent eviction or relieve tenants from their obligations to pay rent. As such, I urge everyone who can pay their rent to do so. Having an eviction on your record can jeopardize your housing security and financial future.
 
We know there are many GREAT landlords that want to help across the city, and we thank them for their help in keeping our community housed and healthy.

For those who have found themselves unemployed, furloughed, or seen a reduction in income, these protections will add more time as benefits and safety nets like rent assistance, cash assistance, and other funds and strategies are deployed to help impacted households.
 
I am committed to continuing to advocate for rent and mortgage relief and assistance, and I have been in regular communication with our regional, state, and federal partners in government to help our shared constituency come out of this pandemic whole, safe, and healthy.

Recently Passed Legislation

Eviction Defense // Council Bill 119784
Sponsor: Council President González

• What this bill does: creates a legal defense a tenant may claim in eviction court proceedings before a judge. There is no guarantee of the outcome by the judge and court proceedings.
  • Tenants must self-certify they have financial barriers and are unable to pay their rent to utilize this defense in eviction court; false certifications may be considered perjury and carry the corresponding legal consequences.  
• This defense can be used 6 months after the expiration of Mayor Jenny Durkan’s moratorium. Currently, the Mayor’s moratorium is currently set to expire on June 4, 2020.

• What this bill does: limits the use of eviction history of a existing or prospective tenant for a landlord to take an ‘adverse action’
  • Evictions related to health and safety are exempt.
• This policy is valid during the civil emergency proclaimed by Mayor Durkan on March 3, 2020 and for a period of six months after it concludes.
   

• What this bill does: creates payment plans as an option for all tenants in Seattle.
  • If you owe a month of back rent, you can pay back over three months.
  • If you owe two months of back rent, you can pay back over five months.
  • If you owe more than two months of back rent, you can pay back over six months.
  • You can also set up an alternative arrangement between yourself and landlords.
• Additionally, for a year after the civil emergency ends, there will be no late fees, interest, or other charges related to late payments.
• If your landlord does not accept a payment plan and issues a termination notice for not paying your rent, you can use this as a defense against eviction in court.
• Payment plans are valid during the civil emergency and for six months after it concludes; the prohibition on late fees is valid for 12 months after the civil emergency ends.

Resources for Tenants and Landlords

• For tenants
  • United Way King County’s Home Base
  • Washington State Disaster Cash Assistance Program
  • Emergency assistance is available via 211 to connect with non-profits and faith-based organizations like Byrd Barr Place, Catholic Community, Arch Housing, and more.
     
• For landlords/homeowners:
  • Tenant Preservation Program
  • Landlord Mitigation Program
  • Seattle’s Foreclosure Prevention Program
  • Information for property managers
  • SDCI’s Resources for Landlords
  • Federal Relief: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, forbearance or reduction for mortgages up to 12 months