LEGAL BRIEFS, BRIEFLY: GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW LAWS
Local, state and federal lawmakers have been very busy passing new multifamily statutes, the majority of which have been decidedly tenant friendly. Here are a few of the more interesting pending multifamily laws and some that have already been passed into law:
Washington HB 1217 capping annual rent increases at 7% passes Washington Senate and House with different amounts and conditions. Supporters say the bill would help improve stability for renters by limiting rent increases, fees and deposits, while also requiring notices to go out. The law would also establish a landlord resource center and associated services, authorizing tenant lease termination, creating parity between lease types, and providing for attorney general enforcement. Oregon SB 599 would ban landlords asking about immigration status. This Act bans biases in the rent of property based on immigration status. The statute prohibits landlords from inquiring about or disclosing immigration status or rejecting an applicant due to immigration status. A landlord may not inquire about or disclose the immigration status of an applicant, tenant or a member of a tenant or applicant’s household.
California passes new rent reporting law AB 2747 and proposes refrigerator/stove law AB 628. Under AB 2747, tenants have the option to have their on-time rent payments reported to a major credit bureau. Landlords must provide tenants with written information about rent reporting at lease signing and at least once per year. If passed, AB 628 would require California landlords to provide working stoves and refrigerators for all apartment leases after Jan. 1, 2026. U.S. HR 206 Landlord Accountability Act of 2025. This bill prohibits housing discrimination based on income, provides protections to tenants of certain federally assisted housing, and establishes a low-income housing maintenance tax credit for eligible landlords. Protected income sources include housing vouchers and rental assistance, rental and homeownership subsidies, Social Security and disability income assistance, and spousal and child support.
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