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Seattle committee advances ban on rental 'junk' fees, adopts four amendments
Summary
The Housing, Arts and Civil Rights Committee voted 5‑0 Aug. 3 to recommend adoption of an ordinance (CB 121254) that would require fee disclosure and ban certain ‘‘junk’’ rental fees, adopting four amendments that clarify disclosure, unbundle optional services, codify a voluntary‑compliance reimbursement standard and create a 30‑day cure and reimbursement pathway for tenants.
The Housing, Arts and Civil Rights Committee voted unanimously Aug. 3 to recommend adoption of Council Bill 121254, a package of changes intended to curb hidden rental fees and require clearer disclosure of the total cost of housing. Chair Dion Foster moved the committee recommendation and the clerk recorded a 5‑0 roll call in favor; the bill, as amended, will go to full council on Aug. 11, 2026.
Central staff described four amendments adopted during the meeting. Amendment 1 requires that when optional services are offered as a bundle each component must also be available separately; amendment 2 clarifies what belongs in the televised “total monthly cost” (excluding time‑limited discounts and optional opt‑ins while requiring utility estimates); amendment 3 codifies SDCI’s voluntary‑compliance practices and specifies that reimbursement to tenants plus interest is a minimum expectation; and amendment 4 provides a 30‑day cure pathway in which landlords can reimburse tenants and pay specified damages to avoid additional remedies. HB Harper of Central Staff delivered the summaries; sponsor Councilmember Rink and others spoke to the intent to close loopholes and protect renters.
Committee members emphasized the ordinance’s goal of improving transparency and protecting renters while acknowledging landlord concerns about cost shifting. Chair Foster said the legislation ‘‘takes us a step further’’ toward clear and comparable pricing for renters and praised stakeholder engagement. The committee’s adoption was unanimous for each amendment and for the final recommendation.
The committee record shows the council intends to address enforcement capacity during the city’s budget process; staff noted the executive transmitted a fiscal summary and said budget legislation later this year would request staff resources. The bill as amended was sent to the Aug. 11 city council meeting for final consideration.
