Seattle renters, like many across the nation, often face extra monthly fees on top of their advertised rent. City leaders are now moving to ban several of those charges, colloquially nicknamed “junk fees,” including monthly pet rent and package fees.
On Aug. 11, the Seattle City Council voted 8-0 to approve legislation aimed at reducing certain rental fees. Backed by Mayor Katie Wilson and sponsored by Councilmember Dionne Foster, the legislation would ban package fees, pet rent, and certain administrative fees while requiring landlords to clearly disclose rental costs upfront, according to Seattle.gov.
The changes will not take effect immediately. Instead, writes Seattle.gov, the legislation applies to rental agreements and renewals that are entered into after July 1, 2027, giving landlords and renters almost a year before the new requirements take effect.
Additional fees can make the true cost of an apartment higher than its advertised rent. Multifamily Dive reports that Seattle’s new rules would require landlords to disclose rent, utilities, and other charges up front before a tenant signs a lease.
Seattle’s New Rules Target Junk Fees
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The legislation requires rental listings and applications to disclose rent, utilities, fees, and the total estimated monthly cost. The ordinance also requires landlords to disclose any discounts or concessions that will affect the advertised price.
Pet rent is only one of the charges that would disappear. According to the legislation, landlords also could not charge tenants simply to receive packages or mail, access common areas, use an appliance or feature already inside their unit, or make rent payments by personal check, money order, cashier’s check, or ACH.
The legislation does not eliminate every charge beyond rent. KUOW notes that landlords may still collect pet damage deposits, as well as security deposits, screening fees, utilities, and certain late fees
Landlords can also offer certain optional paid services, but the tenant must actively choose to receive them and be allowed to opt out without a penalty. For services provided through a third party, the legislation says the fee cannot exceed what the landlord actually pays for the service.
Not Everyone Agrees On Where That Money Comes From Instead
Some Seattle landlords have pushed back against the changes. The Urbanist reports that the Rental Housing Association opposed the legislation and unsuccessfully pursued an exemption for smaller landlords.
Kevin Schilling, government affairs director for the Rental Housing Association of Washington, argued that eliminating individual fees could lead landlords to raise base rents or stop offering certain services altogether. writes KNKX. The Urbanist reports that Councilmember Bob Kettle also proposed allowing landlords to continue charging capped pet rent for dogs, but his amendment failed. Kettle ultimately voted for the overall bill.
Councilmember Foster cited research from the Urban Institute finding that rental fees can add between 10% and 30% to renters’ total housing costs, a finding also referenced in the city’s legislative record. The hope is that, with all costs clearly disclosed up front, renters can more easily compare their options.
The legislation also gives the city additional enforcement options. The Mayor’s Office says the City Attorney’s Office may take landlords who violate the rules to court and recover three times the amount of illegally charged fees—meaning that once the rules take effect, an extra line item on a Seattle lease could carry a considerably higher cost for the landlord charging it.