The city of Seattle has adopted a proposal requiring inspections for every single rental unit in the city.  Right now WMFHA is in the process of attempting to amend it.  Here’s a summary of what will happen: 
 
·         Beginning April 1, 2012 all rental housing owners or operators will have to be licensed and to get that license the rental property must be inspected.
 
·         The only rental housing that will be exempt will be: owner-occupied rental units; rental units owned or operated by a government unit of agency; rental units that receive federal funding and that are inspected as part of the funding program.  If the property has more than 20 rental units, no more than 20% of the units need inspection up to a maximum of 50 units in each building.
 
·         Inspectors will be required to certify that the building and units meet certain standards set for in the Seattle Housing Code and there are no conditions that impair or endanger the health or safety of the tenant.
 
This means that in two years time, every owner that we work with will need to have their property inspected and they will have to get a license.  We’ll find out in the next couple of months whether the amendments get through. 

We will keep you posted!