I was on local National Public Radio station KUOW last week pointing out the flaws of the latest efforts to control rent by the City. We put out a statement to the media last week with the Rental Housing Association of Washington explaining why Councilmember Savant’s proposed legislation to limit rent increases sounds like a great idea, but will actually disincentivize important improvements and add more bureaucracy and costs to a department that is already struggling to implement the existing rules they already have in the Rental Inspection Ordinance (RIO).

Also, there is a more positive and sensible solution to addressing repairs and keeping rents low. Low interest loans could help out older, smaller buildings make improvements and the savings could be passed on to both the landlord and the renter. That would mean no increases in the rent and a some funds to make repairs. The good news is that this idea is already in the Mayor’s Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) recommendations:

I’ll quote it again. Recommendation P4 reads, in part

As part of expanding its preservation efforts, the City should develop and market a low-cost rehab loan program to complement its existing weatherization grants. This program would provide a compelling incentive for existing owners to improve their properties in exchange for an affordability covenant. Effective outreach, marketing and technical support will be critical components to the success of the program. The City should build on the success of its weatherization program by helping owners through the contracting process and with ongoing program compliance (page 32).