SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane landlords may soon have to give tenants six months notice before raising the rent.
Spokane City Councilman Paul Dillon proposed a new ordinance that would require landlords to inform their tenants of a rent increase four to six months before it actually takes effect. The ordinance had a first reading at the city council meeting on April 22 and could be voted on by April 29.
If the ordinance passes, landlords would have to give tenants four months notice if the price is increasing by 3% or less. If the price is increasing by more than 3%, however, the ordinance would require landlords to give tenants six months notice.
Currently, Spokane landlords are required to give tenants 60 days notice before raising the rent, which is the minimum by state law.
Dillon said this change would give people the time they need to find a new place to live.
"We know that evictions are a leading cause of homelessness and that more than one third of Spokane residents are cost burdened from rent," Dillon said.
One third of Spokane renters are paying more than 50% of their income to housing. The general rule of thumb is housing should equate for no more than 30% of their monthly income. According to the ordinance, 90% of Spokane renters are paying more than that.
Dillon said he's hoping city council will vote on the ordinance next Monday. If passed, the ordinance could go into effect as early as June 1.
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