Rental Junk Fees Legislation FAQ
This legislation prohibits fees in excess of rent--sometimes called “junk fees”, like pet fees, common area fees, valet garbage fees, and administrative fees. These fees can add 10-30% on top of rent contributing to the City’s affordability crisis and making it impossible for renters to know their true costs before entering into a lease. This common-sense regulation ensures that the price you see is the price you pay. This legislation is effective on July 1, 2027.
ALL fees that are not on the below list are prohibited
- Move-in Fees (Screening Fees, Security + Pet Deposits). Move in fees are capped at the equivalent of one-month’s rent. Pet Deposits cannot exceed 25% of rent.
- Utility Surcharge Fees (RUBS)
- Late Fees (capped at $10 per month)
- Parking
- Damage from Tenants
- Air Conditioner Rentals
- Dishonored Checks (capped at the lesser of $31 or the actual cost)
- Key Replacement Fees (capped at the lesser of $50 or actual cost)
- Lock-out fees (capped at $50 during working hours and $150 on weekends and prohibited if the landlord is already present at the property)
- Private Use of Common Area
- Insurance, provided it meets minimum standards
- Optional Fees
Frequently Asked Questions
Mayor Wilson and her team developed this legislation by working with renters, housing providers and stakeholders over a six-month period. Mayor Wilson worked in strong partnership with Council Member Foster, who sponsored this legislation at City Council.
This legislation applies to all landlords or housing providers in the City of Seattle. Short-term rentals, like Airbnb, are not covered by this legislation.
Small landlords and affordable housing providers are covered by this legislation.
All tenants are protected by this legislation.
This legislation is effective on July 1, 2027.
A landlord may continue to charge fees prohibited by this legislation until the end of an existing lease term or July 1, 2027, whichever is later.
Any fee not on the above allowed fees list is prohibited. Below is a non-exhaustive list of prohibited fees.
- Pet Fees
- Pet Screening
- Package/Mail fees
- Common Area fee (except for private rentals of common areas)
- Appliance Fees (except for air conditioner rentals)
- Wifi/Technology fee
- Month to Month fee
- Lease Signing fee
- Administrative fee
- Repair Request fee
- Benefits Package fee
- Valet Garbage fee
- Landscaping fee
- Lease Violation fee
- Lease renewal fee
- Re-application fee
- Deposit return fee
A landlord is permitted to charge for optional additional services provided they meet certain requirements: 1. The fee must be disclosed; 2. The tenant must affirmatively opt-in in writing; 3. The landlord must provide a method to opt-out without additional cost; 4. The fee may be no more than landlord cost for third-party provided services.
No, certain fees are prohibited from being charged as optional fees:
- In-unit appliance fee
- Common area fee
- Fees for payment by check-equivalent or ACH
- Mail & package fees
- Fee for a landlord required duty under City or State law
- Fee for change in tenants
- Fee associated with pets
Yes. Landlords are required to disclose all mandatory and optional fees in advertisements, rental listings, and rental applications. This includes:
- Monthly rent
- Mandatory and optional fees
- Utilities
- Discounts or concessions
- Average total monthly costs with estimates for any variable fees
A copy of the ordinance can be viewed here and by clicking “click here for full text.”
The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections will have enforcement authority for this law beginning July 1, 2027. Contact information is available here. The City Attorney and tenants may also file lawsuits to enforce the ordinance.
Visit the Renting in Seattle website for more information: seattle.gov/rentinginseattle