Tenants in Bellingham are likely to see better protections from rent increases, under new rules being considered by the city council.

Council is expected to vote Monday, Feb. 27 on a proposal from council members Hollie Huthman and Dan Hammill that would require landlords to give 120-day notice for a rent increase of 5% or more. 

The state since 2019 has required landlords to give 60-days notice of any rent increase, with the exception of public housing. Managers of subsidized housing units must give 30-days notice of rent increases.

Significant rent increases in Bellingham — anecdotal evidence suggests up to $600 a month — coupled with a tight market can create a dilemma for tenants, Huthman said at a Jan. 23 meeting.

“You and I have probably all heard from constituents who’ve had some pretty substantial rental increases recently,” Huthman told fellow council members. “And in a market where it’s so difficult to find another place to live, that can put people in quite a bind.”

Bellingham’s rental vacancy rate is around 3%, according to the city website, which says that a “healthy” vacancy rate that doesn’t lead to rapid rent increases would be 5–7%. Planning officials have said Bellingham’s median monthly rent has increased 41% over four years, not adjusting for inflation, from $1,200 in 2018 to $1,693 in 2022.

Huthman and Hammill’s proposal would be in line with the cities of Auburn and Olympia, which both require 120-days notice for rent increases of at least 5%. 

Also on Monday, council will consider a broader range of tenant protections, including limits on security deposits and other fees, and a freeze on rent when repairs are needed.

Council is only expected to vote Monday on the proposed ordinance requiring more notice for rent increases. Deliberations over additional protections will continue after next week.