# Seattle bans rental junk fees

> Seattle bans rental 'junk fees' to boost transparency and affordability.
- Title: Seattle bans rental junk fees · Multifamilydive | Shortify
- Summary: Seattle bans rental 'junk fees' to boost transparency and affordability. Seattle's new ordinance eliminates administrative service charges, pet rent, and…
- Keywords: seattle, rental fees, junk fees, transparency ordinance, housing affordability, city council, seattle city council, mayor katie wilson, dionne foster, housing committee, rental market, seattle city attorney
- Source: Multifamilydive — https://multifamilydive.com/news/seattle-ban-rental-junk-fees/827816
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: seattle, rental fees, junk fees, transparency ordinance, housing affordability, city council, seattle city council, mayor katie wilson, dionne foster, housing committee, rental market, seattle city attorney
## Seattle bans rental junk fees
Seattle City Council passed a ban on rental 'junk fees' including administrative service charges, pet rent, and package fees.

> The legislation passed by an 8-0 vote.
## New transparency ordinance effective July 2027
The new transparency ordinance requires upfront pricing for tenants and expands investigative authority for landlords.

> The ordinance also requires clear, upfront pricing for tenants, expands investigative authority and strengthens enforcement.
## Landlords face legal action for illegal fees
Landlords who violate the ordinance can be taken to court by the City Attorney’s Office and must pay three times the illegal fees.

> The City Attorney’s Office to take a violating landlord to court and recover three times the amount of the illegal fees.
## Rental market becomes more transparent
Councilmember Dionne Foster said the ordinance makes Seattle’s rental market 'more transparent and affordable' by requiring clear pricing.

> The measure will make Seattle’s rental market 'more transparent and affordable,' said Councilmember Dionne Foster.
## Rental fees often undisclosed
Tenants may not learn about all mandatory charges until lease signing after paying nonrefundable application and move-in fees.

> Tenants are left to choose between paying more than they expected or walking away and losing the time and money they invested.
## Mandatory fee disclosure requirements
Rental agreements must disclose monthly rent, discounts, utilities, fees, and total monthly cost to tenants starting July 2027.

> Per the new law, any rental agreement or renewal of a rental agreement entered into after July 1, 2027, must disclose: The monthly rent of the dwelling unit; The amounts and duration of any discounts or concessions applied; All utilities for which the tenant is responsible and utilities included in the monthly rent; The amounts of all mandatory and optional fees, including variable fees; and The total monthly cost to be paid by the tenant.
## Seattle housing affordability crisis
Seattle’s average monthly rents rose 32% between 2012 and 2022, even after adjusting for inflation, according to CoStar and BERK analysis.

> CoStar and BERK analysis found that, between 2012 and 2022, average monthly rents rose 32% in the city, even after adjusting for inflation.
## Key takeaway

Seattle's new ordinance eliminates administrative service charges, pet rent, and package fees, requiring upfront pricing for tenants starting July 2027.