Bothell staff briefing on tenant protections found renters back longer rent-increase notice, deposit caps

What the records say

The Nov. 5, 2024 City Council agenda included a City Manager Report item titled 'Tenant Protections Update - Initial Engagement Efforts,' scheduled as a staff briefing. ¹ The briefing materials state that a recently concluded community needs assessment found renters strongly supported longer notice for rent increases and a cap on move-in fees and security deposits, along with more community education on renter's rights and disclosure of fees beyond rent. Rent due date adjustments and late fee caps drew lower priority support. ¹ The briefing also notes rent control is prohibited by statute and is not being considered by the city. ¹ The item was informational only; no Council action was required. ¹

• Renters in the community needs assessment strongly supported longer notice for rent increases and a cap on move-in fees and security deposits; community education on renter's rights and disclosure of additional fees also drew support, while rent due date adjustments and late fee caps were lower priorities. ¹
• The briefing states rent control is prohibited by statute and the city is not considering it. ¹
• The city planned a landlord focus group on December 9 and a renter focus group in January, with extra outreach to smaller rental properties such as ADUs, townhomes, and duplexes. ¹
• Staff expected to bring final recommendations to Council in the second quarter of 2025. ¹

Why it matters

Bothell renters and landlords are directly affected by whatever tenant protection measures the city ultimately considers. The briefing identifies which measures renters favored—longer rent-increase notice and caps on move-in fees and deposits—and shows the city was still gathering landlord input before making recommendations. ¹ Analysis: Residents who rent, own rentals, or follow housing policy can use this to see where the city's process stood as of November 2024 and what input opportunities remained.

What changed / what's next

• The Nov. 5, 2024 Council agenda added a staff briefing reporting initial tenant protection engagement findings, including renter support for longer rent-increase notice and caps on move-in fees and security deposits. ¹
• The briefing was informational only, and the supplied record does not establish what, if anything, Council said or decided in response. ¹
• The landlord focus group on December 9 and the renter focus group in January were the next scheduled input steps before final recommendations expected in the second quarter of 2025. ¹
• The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.