Bellingham councilor wants to get tough with landlords

Given the choice between carrot or stick, tenant advocacy groups and a Bellingham City Council member are picking up a legal club they hope will bring landlords into compliance with the city’s rules. Council member Kristina Michele Martens and the group Tenants Revolt teamed up to draft an ordinance that would strip landlords of their city-issued rental registration certificate if they fail an inspection, and would require them to relocate tenants at their own expense. Tenants of 1210 El