Could Property Owners be Obligated to Pay Tenant Moving Costs?

It's not a reality in Seattle today, but it's possible in the future!

In Seattle, property owners are not obligated to pay tenant moving costs. However, not too far from here, in Portland, it is a reality. Earlier this month the City of Portland enacted a permanent rule that property owners must pay for the moving costs of tenants who are forced to move due to rent increases of 10% or more.

The "Relocation Assistance Ordinance" will cost landlords anywhere from $2,900 to $4,500, depending on the type of dwelling unit.

There are many people who oppose of this new rent-control rule. One issue that has arisen is when a landlord only intends to rent a property for a fixed-term and does not renew the tenant lease at the end of the term. They are still required to pay the moving costs under the Relocation Assistance Ordinance.

San Francisco is another city that has enacted other Rent Control measures that require an owner to pay moving costs. Under the Ellis Act, in San Francisco, if a landlord asks a tenant to move out, and doesn't plan to re-rent the unit, then the landlord is required to pay the tenant $5,200 in moving costs.

We hope this type of rule does not come to Seattle. Rent control measures have rarely shown success and create unnecessary hurdles for both property owners and tenants.