Fair Tenant Screening Act

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Do you use tenant screening/consumer reports?  You are required to notify prospective tenants “up-front” of the criteria being considered in the screening report, along with written Adverse Action requirements explaining the reason for denial, and the Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) used and contact information for that CRA.

Recent legislation has been passed that impacts the way you conduct business.  Review Senate Bill 6315. The changes go into effect June 7, 2012.  A work group has also been established for guidance and additional potential changes in the future.

SB 6315

 

Kirkland Landlords & Section 8 Applicants:

On Tuesday Kirkland’s City Council approved, by a 4-3 vote, a new ordinance that requires landlords accept applications from people who have Section 8. Kirkland follows in the footsteps of Redmond, which passed a similar ordinance by a 7-0 vote in February 2012.

Kirkland’s Ordinance reads: Ordinance O-4384, Relating to Amending the Kirkland Municipal Code to Enact a New Chapter 7.74 Fair Housing Regulations; Prohibiting the Refusal to Rent a Dwelling Unit Solely on the Basis of a Section 8 Voucher or Certificate Rental Request; and Providing for the Enforcement Thereof by Amending Kirkland Municipal Code Section 1.12.020.

Board Member Call to Service

5 February 2013

With the implementation of our new bylaws a few years ago, term limits went into effect for all board members. This notice is a “call to service”, as we need one new board member immediately to assist with the leadership of our association.  We need a three-month commitment, and we will review board applicant information at the nominating committee level.

This is a volunteer position.  Most members have outside employment, but what we all have in common is “rental property”. The criteria for being a board member are diverse and encompass all stages of landlord experience. The following is taken from our Bylaws. If you meet this criteria you may be eligible.

Qualifications.” Any person over the age of eighteen (18) who has been a Regular Member in good standing for a minimum of one (1) year preceding the balloting and resides and owns residential real property in the State of Washington shall be eligible for election as a Director, provided that the Board has determined that he/she is the designated voting representative as required by section 5.05.”

Our General Election usually occurs the first Wednesday of May. We have four board positions up for election and all of the officer’s positions.

As an Association we need everyone’s help The Nominating committee is actively seeking  members to fill Board positions for this year’s election. It is time for you to step up an help guide our Association for the near future.

Please don’t feel you have nothing to offer if you only have a single rental property. Everyone has something to offer, and we need a diverse board. We need new ideas and new vision to assist our association to grow. We can’t do this without your help.
You can contact the office with your information so the nominating committee can include you in their process for this year’s election.

Thank you for your consideration and commitment,

SCAOA/LANS  Board of Directors

Nominating Committee

 

Tax Payer E-Z Budget Management for the United States Government

Sick of hearing about sequestration and gridlock in Congress? Would you like to have a say in where your tax money goes? One of our members drafted this document to submit when you pay your taxes: Tax Payer E-Z Budget. Contact us and we’ll send you a copy of the document in Word.

The opinions expressed on this document are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Board of Directors or LANS/SCAOA staff. No representation is made as to the sufficiency or tax consequences of this form. For questions, call (425) 353-6929.

 

Webinar on Vouchers

The Commerce Dept had a webinar on February 21, 2013 regarding the interested landlord list from HB 2048 and the web site COM contracted with to connect landlords across the state with tenants who have vouchers per HB 2048. Members can provide … Continue reading