LYNNWOOD, Wash. — Recent legislation in Washington State aiming to control rent increases has provided relief to tenants in manufactured home communities, sparking discussions about housing stability and affordability. Engrossed House Bill 1217, which came into effect on May 7, limits annual rent increases to either 7% plus inflation or 10%, whichever is lower, and caps increases under manufactured/mobiles homes at 5%.
Nancy DeWester, who resides at Martha Lake Mobile Manor, expressed gratitude for the new law that stands to protect residents from steep rent hikes. Having moved to her home 15 years ago, DeWester now pays approximately $1,200 monthly—a significant increase from the $425 she originally paid. “The cost of living has gone up,” she remarked, affirming her support for the legislation.
Martha Lake Mobile Manor is home to an array of residents, many of whom are seniors or low-income families. Linda Fischer, another long-term resident, highlighted the significance of having a rent cap. She noted that without such legislation, landlords might impose unmanageable rent increases. “Wherever you go, they’re all up,” she said, referencing the rising rental prices elsewhere.
Carson Marshall, a manufactured home owner in SeaTac, characterized owning a home as a source of financial stability. For many in these communities, such as Joan Bradford, whose home is likely their last, the cap offers essential protection against financial instability. “This is it for us. We’re either going to die here or go to a nursing home,” Bradford commented about her living situation.
The law has already begun to impact landlords across the state, as evidenced by recent enforcement actions. The Washington State Attorney General’s office fined eight landlords $2,000 each for violations of the new law, which affected over 250 tenants. With rent increase caps in place, the vast majority of tenants can now breathe easier about their housing costs for the foreseeable future.
In Snohomish County, the waiting list for housing assistance is at an all-time high, further emphasizing the necessity of such protections. As of September 19, the Housing Authority of Snohomish County had a full waiting list for its Housing Choice (Section 8) Vouchers program. The wait for these much-needed vouchers stretches from three to five years, while assistance for seniors and individuals with disabilities can take even longer, sometimes five to seven years.
Jeanette Burton, a former resident of a manufactured home community in South Everett, stressed the unique position of manufactured home owners who own their homes but rent the land. This dual financial responsibility often makes it especially challenging to find alternative affordable housing. “A renter can pick up and move to some other apartment, but we can’t go anywhere,” she articulated, highlighting the constraints faced by many in these communities.
As property owners navigate the ongoing changes in rental policies, some landlords, like Carmen Crispeno from Edmonds, have voiced support for the law. He sees it as a means to protect tenants from exorbitant rent increases, although some landlords express concerns that such caps could deter investments in rental properties. Still, Crispeno remains firm on keeping rent increases reasonable in his own properties.
Statistical data paints a concerning picture of the rental market since 2013. There has been a significant decline in rental units priced between $600 and $999, dropping from 346,000 units to roughly 141,000 by 2023. In stark contrast, units costing over $2,000 have surged, raising questions about long-term housing affordability in the state.
For tenants who suspect their rights under the new law have been violated, the attorney general’s office provides a complaint filing process. The changes brought by HB 1217 serve as a critical move in a continually challenging housing landscape for many Washington residents.
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