The Redmond City Council’s housing subcommittee reported Tuesday on work reviewing local tenant protections and state rent‑stabilization legislation, proposing near‑term measures to protect tenants and to keep Redmond’s resident guidance current.

The subcommittee — Council Vice President Forsyth, Council President Kritzer and Councilmember Fields — briefed the full council and worked with Director Helland of the city’s housing team to compare Redmond’s ordinance with recently passed state legislation; staff said some gaps originally targeted by the city were closed by the state law, while others remain subject to local action.

Director Helland told the council that staff paused subcommittee work while awaiting the state session outcome and reconvened after the session to identify remaining local opportunities. The subcommittee outlined three primary next steps: (1) during upcoming multifamily tax exemption (MFTE) amendments (planned in Redmond 2050 follow‑up), consider a year‑over‑year cap on rent increases for cost‑controlled MFTE units; (2) amend the municipal code or zoning requirements to mandate that multifamily buildings post printed tenant‑rights information in common/public areas; and (3) update the city’s online tenant‑protections FAQ and resource listings so renters know their rights and how to access services.

Helland explained that MFTE amendments are already scheduled for return to council early next year and cited Bellevue’s example of placing annual increase limits on MFTE units as precedent staff reviewed. Subcommittee members asked staff to bring a concrete amendment proposal and comparative analysis when the MFTE update returns.

On outreach and enforcement, the subcommittee recommended leveraging the state’s forthcoming online resource for tenant rights and using city channels to ensure tenants can access up‑to‑date information. The council discussed linking the proposed posting requirement to existing human‑services contracts so trusted partners can help distribute and interpret information. Councilmember Fields asked what nonlegal resources the city can provide beyond posters; staff noted community‑court resource hours, homelessness outreach, and funded legal services such as the Housing Justice Project (income‑qualified) as existing avenues and said human‑services grant decisions can be adjusted in future budget cycles.

Councilmembers supported keeping tenant protections on the council’s legislative agenda so the city can advocate for or respond to further state bills expected next year. No formal vote was taken Tuesday; the council agreed by consensus to proceed with drafting the MFTE amendment language, worker with housing staff to prepare code changes to require tenant‑rights postings, and to update city FAQs and resource links before wider outreach and adoption.

Staff indicated timelines: MFTE amendments will return as part of the Redmond 2050 follow‑up early next year; zoning/posting code amendments and FAQ updates will be drafted this fall and brought back for council review.