6.14.020 Notice of rental increase and right to economic displacement relocation assistance.
A. As allowed by this chapter, if a landlord increases a tenant’s rent or associated housing costs by eight percent or more over a rolling 12-month period, the landlord shall deliver an increase notice in a manner consistent with RCW 59.12.040 to each affected tenant:
1. At least 120 days prior to the effective date of the rent increase; or
2. The time period designated in the rental agreement, whichever is longer.
B. The increase notice must specify:
1. The amount of the increase;
2. The total amount of the new rent or associated housing costs;
3. The date when the increase becomes effective;
4. A rationale for the rent increase;
5. The total amount of relocation assistance available under this chapter to tenants of the unit upon displacement; and
6. The rights of tenants under this chapter, including:
a. A statement of the right of the tenant to request economic displacement relocation assistance within 45 days of receipt of the increase notice;
b. A statement that if the tenant receives timely relocation assistance as provided for under this chapter, the tenant shall have a relocation period of five months from the date of the receipt of the relocation assistance; and
c. A statement that at the conclusion of this relocation period, if the tenant remains in the dwelling unit, the tenant shall be obligated to pay the increased rent in accordance with the increase notice for the duration of the tenant’s occupancy of the dwelling unit and to repay the relocation assistance.
C. If, within 45 calendar days after each tenant receives an increase notice indicating a rent increase of eight percent or more within a rolling 12-month period, the tenant may provide a request for relocation assistance to the landlord.
1. Within 31 calendar days of receiving the request for relocation assistance, the landlord shall pay to the tenants relocation assistance equivalent to:
a. Either a sum equalling three times the current fair market monthly rent for Bellingham, Washington, as defined by HUD Office of Policy Development and Research for an apartment of the same size; or
b. Three times the tenant’s existing monthly rent, whichever is larger.
2. The requirements of this subsection apply per dwelling unit, not per individual tenant. [Initiative No. 2023-02, § 2, approved by voters at the 11/07/23 election, certified 11/28/23].