The tenant protection bills should be introduced in the House tomorrow, Jan. 22 - there may be others but here's my current list: - I've abbreviated the descriptions.

HB1440 - Longer notice of rent increase

HB1446 - Mediation under the Residential Landlord Tenant Act

HB1453 - Residential Tenant Protections

HB1460 - Notice for Rent Increases

HB1461 - Termination of Tenancy

HB1462 - Change of Use of Residential Property

HB1463 - Change in notification

These bills are not equally tenant-friendly.  I'm guessing at least one of the advocacy groups will provide us with their analyses and talking points to legislators.   Our advocacy committee may want to take one or more of them.  

Find your comments for the recent Tacoma Rental Housing Code process and just update them for the Legislature.  

Remember - join Advocacy Alerts at www.wliha.org, sign-up to follow bills at www.leg.wa.gov and click on the Track Legislation link.  

This is our chance to get some real tenant protections.  Tenants will be front and center.  Those of us who are ethical landlords need to support the most progressive bills.  Those of us who are homeowners must do the same.

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