Committee hears bill to pilot rent-payment credit reporting for tenants

House Bill 19-27, which would create a rent-payment reporting pilot allowing tenants to opt in to have rent payment history reported to consumer reporting agencies, drew broadly supportive testimony on Feb. 17 before the Washington State House Housing Committee.

The bill matters because proponents say reporting on-time rent payments could help renters — particularly low-income households, students and single parents — build credit scores and improve access to loans and housing, a step supporters say can create a clearer pathway to homeownership.

Audrey Vasek, staff to the committee, summarized the bill: the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) would contract with a third party to administer a pilot and must adopt rules by Dec. 1, 2025, including a standard tenant opt-in/opt-out form. The third-party must begin recruiting participants on Dec. 15, 2025, attempting to include no more than 10 landlords and at least 100 tenants. Tenants and landlords must agree in writing to participate; landlords would commit to at least…