Don’t be fooled — the rent stabilization bill (EHB 1217) recently passed by the state Senate is a gift to corporate landlords who have been gouging renters.

Amendments introduced at the last moment gutted protections for those in our state facing some of the highest rents in the nation. Instead of a 7 percent yearly maximum rent increase, the bill was amended to allow for a 10 percent increase plus the consumer price index. With inflation expected to increase, this could easily result in 15 percent rent increases or more — pricing the most vulnerable out of their homes.

A second amendment exempts single-family home rentals if they aren’t owned by a real estate development company. However, since landlords have made certain there is no rent registry in our state, it is nearly impossible for renters to know if this applies to them or not.

We still have a chance to help those who need it the most. The House and Senate need to confer on this bill. Please ask Sens. Annette Cleveland and Adrian Cortes to pledge to support a final bill that caps rents at 7 percent and does not exempt those in single-family homes.

Martha Maier
VANCOUVER