Seattle Bans Rental Junk Fees

The new transparency ordinance, effective July 2027, eliminates administrative service charges, pet rent and package fees and requires upfront pricing for tenants.

There is no market incentive to advertise the full price of an apartment, and rental fees are often not disclosed up front, according to the ordinance. That means a renter may not learn about all the mandatory charges attached to their housing until lease signing, after they have already paid 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,” according to the ordinance.

Per the new law, any rental agreement or renewal of a rental agreement entered into after July 1, 2027, must disclose:

The ordinance also lays out what fees landlords can charge, and how much.