Rental Housing Journal

08/20/2026

The Seattle City Council has passed its rental fee regulation ordinance, ending months of debate over rental fee transparency and regulation, and removing the word “junk fees” from the ordinance. “This is a significant step forward in making Seattle a more affordable place to live and work, and giving renters the clarity and confidence they deserve,” said city attorney Erika Evans. “Good landlords who play by the rules will benefit, too, as we hold bad actors accountable by making the housing market fairer and more transparent for everyone.” https://rentalhousingjournal.com/seattle-landlords-can-no-longer-charge-pet-rent-or-junk-fees/

07/15/2026

A Utah woman is accused of retaliating against a former apartment manager who evicted her by listing the woman’s apartment for rent.

A Utah woman is accused of retaliating against a former apartment manager who evicted her by listing the woman's apartment for rent

06/24/2026

My tenants want a "kiddie pool" what should I do?

A landlord's tenants want a kiddie pool in the backyard of the landlord's rental so that is the question this week for Ask Landlord Hank.

06/17/2026

Balancing lease enforcement and fair housing means shifting away from standard, rigid punishments and leaning into a thoughtful, empathetic approach to compliance.

Balancing lease enforcement and fair housing means shifting from standard, rigid punishments to an empathetic approach to compliance.

06/17/2026

Michelson Found Animals’ Pet Inclusive Housing Initiative has announced the winners for 2026 Pets & Housing Awards. The fifth annual Pets & Housing Awards honors organizations, properties, nonprofits, and policymakers that are helping create communities where pets and people can thrive together.

Michelson Found Animals’ Pet Inclusive Housing Initiative has announced the winners for 2026 Pets & Housing Awards.

06/10/2026

A California bill, SB 1296, to require upfront disclosure of rental application pet restrictions before renters pay application fees has passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Simply put the bill requires landlords to clearly disclose rental pet policies before charging an application fee.

A California bill to end rental application pet policies before renters pay application fees passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee

06/10/2026

Ask Landlord Hank: My tenants want to have a “seasonal” kiddie pool in my backyard rental. What is my liability? Do I need to have a legal rider to my lease stating terms?

A landlord's tenants want a kiddie pool in the backyard of the landlord's rental so that is the question this week for Ask Landlord Hank.

05/28/2026

Online lease templates can mean legal headaches for landlords as many templates fail to reflect current landlord-tenant law in individual states.

Online lease templates can mean legal headaches for landlords as many templates fail to reflect states current landlord-tenant law

05/28/2026

A year into Washington’s new rental control law, the state has issued $800,000 in penalties to landlords but they have not had to pay so far. The state attorney general’s office has settled roughly four dozen cases of alleged breaches of the rent control law, which caps rent increases in traditional units at 7% plus inflation up to a maximum of 10%. The limit for manufactured homes is 5%. The fines imposed in these cases total over $800,000.

A year into Washington state's new rental control law on residential rent increases, the state has issued $800,000 in landlord penalties

05/20/2026

Regular rental property inspections are one of the most important risk-management tools for landlords and property managers. They help protect the property, reduce liability, improve tenant relations, and preserve long-term asset value.

Regular rental property inspections are one of the most important risk-management tools for landlords and property managers.