February 2012 Gazette
February 2012 GazetteLegislative Day is Near!
Please Oppose -
HB 2563: Establishing a state tax on capital gains, affects commercial and residential rental properties. It does not allow for tax-deferred exchanges as under federal law. With $23 billion in annual income and who knows the market values of our properties, property owners are the source for “new revenues.”
HB 2564: Unlawful Detainers and evictions are synonymous. Often a landlord seeks to terminate tenancy
because either a tenant defaults in rent or fails to comply with the terms of the lease/rental agreement. The landlord
will try to work with the tenant to resolve the issue before beginning the eviction process, as evictions are costly. An average eviction may cost $800, not including the lost rent revenue and time.
Not all unlawful detainers become eviction records because the landlord stops the process once a tenant moves out. Most landlords do consider the unlawful detainer filings of an applicant and inquire at the application process. Just as a mortgage lender would question your financial worthiness before approving a loan, certain considerations are made during the
application process.
Access to Protection Order Court Records
Denying access to public records does not set a good precedent. It is important that laws are careful to balance the public’s longstanding right to access public information. Domestic Violence, sexual assault and or stalking records are impacted. In a
civil case the court, any party may request a hearing to seal or redact the court records. Privacy of victim’s records should always be a consideration; however, access to public records should be allowed.
HB 2642 and SB 6315: Tenant Screening
Washington State legislators are attempting to create a definition for tenant screening or screening service which is different than what is already regulated by Federal and current State law. Both Federal and State law definitions of consumer reports and consumer reporting agencies include all the activities a screening service would provide when providing a tenant screening report and were designed to protect the consumer. The definitions in SB 6315 are inadequate and do not address past rental history and employment verification.
Consumer report information varies from the different screening agencies and credit bureaus. Some reports are
very basic while others supply an actual credit bureau report with information including previous addresses, social security number verification, fraud alerts, etc. The landlord/manager decides which company provides the best information relevant to make an informed decision.
Do not support portable reports. A consumer report must be current and up-to-date. Information on the consumer report can change daily and sometimes hourly. A portable report is unable to meet that need.
Housing providers are willing to provide applicants with the screening criteria (Resident Acceptance Policies) they use when reviewing a consumer report. Landlords are also required to provide the applicant with information as to why they are denied tenancy and the specific reasons for the decision that came from a consumer report (Adverse Action Letter)
January Meeting Schedule Change
Due to the impending snow, our Wednesday meeting on the 18th has been postponed. We look forward to the presentation February 15. See meeting details below.
Office Closure In the Event of Major Snow
Our office will be open whenever possible. However, in the event of major snow storms, we may have a late start, or we may not be able to physically open the office, without risking life and limb.
Please call the office ahead if you need to come into the office to ensure we are open.
Attention Tenants!
We received information from a Landlord Member that there is a scam directed at prospective Tenants. The scammer is targeting tenants looking at vacant units and collecting screening fees (and your private information on an application).
Be sure to meet and check out your Landlord too! Make sure the rental application shows the Landlord name, information and screening company. Don’t hand your information to just anyone. Ask them for their identification and look up property owner information at the Assessor’s office.
Ask for a receipt for any fees you pay for screening or otherwise. Happy house hunting!
January 2012 Gazette
January 2012 GazetteMountlake Terrace Rental Housing Business License and Inspection Program
The Mountlake Terrace Rental Housing Business License and Inspection Program will go into effect January 2012 (passed by the MLT City Council in 2010). Upcoming Mountlake Terrace City Council Meetings where this will be discussed: December 15, 7 p.m. (comments taken at end of the meeting) December 19, 7 p.m. (comments taken at beginning of [...]Property Managers Can Rely on Local Resource
Business News and In the Media
April 2011 Newsletter
April 2011 GazetteMay 2011 Newsletter
May 2011 GazetteJune Newsletter
June 2011 GazetteUpdated Legislative Hot Sheet
WAA Legislative Hot Sheet 6 16 2011
Dear SCAOA & WAA Members:
The Governor signed the Biennial Budget Wednesday, June 15 at 2:30 p.m. and we are reviewing the budget and all bills that she acted upon.
July Newletter
July 2011 GazetteWA Landlord-Tenant Act Changes Effective 7/22/11
No Meetings – Enjoy the Summer!
No August General Membership or Board of Directors Meetings
Special Meetings are planned for Septembers…… Stay Tuned!
August Newsletter 2011
August 2011 GazetteImportant Notice Regarding Credit Scores
Credit Score and Adverse Action If you are receiving (or plan to receive) consumer reports, read ahead: We are writing to advise you of important changes to consumer reporting law affecting Adverse Action notices. Section 615(a) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires that “If any person (such as a landlord) takes any Adverse [...]September Newsletter
September 2011 GazetteSuper Saturday Seminar for Landlords and Real Estate Professionals
“Super Saturday” Seminar Schedule
November 5th, 2011, 9:00 a.m.
Seminar 2011 Registration Form
Member discount $45 and $75 for Non-Members (Space is Limited)
Room and Breakfast Discounts! See Below…..
Welcome & Opening of Seminar, by Bryan Mize, SCAOA President
10 Most Common Landlord Mistakes & How to Avoid Them, by Chris Benis, landlord & RE attorney
Screening Tips, by Kathleen Lester of SCAOA
Screening in Depth, by Rebekah Near of ORCA Information
Daniel Hanks of Coldwell, Banker, Bain on Current Rental Sales in Snohomish County (& beyond).
Eviction Basics & How to Ensure SPEEDY Recovery of Your Property, by Rob Trickler of All County Eviction Service, SCAOA Vice President & WAA Vice President
Judith Violette, WAA President on “The FUTURE of WAA”; then Terry Kohl,
WAA Lobbyist on “The 3 Most Important Issues during the Upcoming Legislative Session”
TOM HOBAN on the Future Economic Climate of the North Sound Area considering
Activity at the National & World levels.
The Triumphant Trio Panel
Willis Cole on GROWING your INVESTMENTS
Roger Bowlin on segueing into 1031 Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs), and
Mark Hodges on Investing your Self-Guided Tax Sheltered Retirement Account(s) in Real Estate, Gold, & other Alternative Investments
Q & A Session
Pre-Pay by Credit Card or Check
Call 425-353-6929
Holiday Inn Express, 8606 36th Ave NE, Marysville
Rooms for $119/+tax (King or 2 Queens) Mention “GRO” (360) 530-1234
Breakfast included with Room or $5 for Attendees. Served at 7 – 9 a.m.
October Newsletter
October 2011 GazetteHousing and Essential Needs Program
Read here about changes to the Disability Lifeline program and the new housing vouchers available: Housing and Essential Needs FlyerNovember Newsletter
November 2011 GazetteWashington Rental Housing Industry Coalition Meeting
Dear SCAOA & WAA Members:
Please see the information below regarding the next Washington Rental Housing Industry Coalition meeting which is scheduled on Thursday, November 17th from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at Holiday Inn - Renton located at 1 South Grady Way,
Renton, WA 98055.
Please see below to register for the meeting.
Many thanks.
Mark Gjurasic
Public Affairs of Washington, LLC
Nicole Birge wrote:
Good Afternoon,
WMFHA is proud to host our next WRHIC meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 17th from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. The meeting will be at Holiday Inn - Renton located at 1 South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98055
The meeting cost is $25/pp and parking is FREE!
Please let me know if there are any items you would like to see on our meeting agenda.
We hope to have a copy out to everyone (with supplementals) by week’s end.
To register and pay online (easiest way) click here or please reply letting me know if you’d like to attend and pay at the door. Feel free to forward this information to anyone you feel should be in attendance.
We look forward to seeing you next week and your continued participation in WRHIC!
Nicole Birge
Executive Director
Washington Multi-Family Housing Association
425.656.9077 office
425.656.9087 fax
General Membership Meeting January 18, 2012
We are happy to announce that Errin Reynolds with Diversified Management Services will be our guest speaker.
Topic: Managing the Difficult Tenant
Where: Shawn O’Donnell’s
122—128th Street SE, Everett
When: Wednesday, January 18, 2012
6:00 pm—Social Networking
6:30 pm—Buffet Dinner (Reservations Required)
7:00 pm—Start Program
Cost: *$25/$35 Dinner (Member/Non-Member)
$30/$40 Late RSVP for Dinner or Walk-In (Member/Non-Member)
$10/$15 Program Only (Member/Non-Member)
*RSVP BY MONDAY JANUARY 16TH FOR BEST RATE
CALL (425)353-6929
Check, Cash or Credit Card
Holiday Office Schedule
Our office will be closed on Monday, December 26 and Monday, January 2, 2012
In the event of major snow fall or bad road conditions, please call ahead. We will endeavor to get into the office in a timely manner and will check our messages. Please have a safe and healthy holiday…..
General Membership Meeting for February
How to Deal with Difficult Tenants
Speaker: Errin Reynolds, Diversified Management Services
Where: Shawn O’Donnell’s, 122—128th Street SE, Everett (Across from Holiday Inn)
When: Wednesday, February 15, 2012
6:00 pm—Social Networking
6:30 pm—Buffet Dinner
7:00 pm—Start Program
Cost: $25/$35 Dinner (Member/Non-Member) $30/$40 Late RSVP for Dinner or Walk-In
$10/$15 Program Only (Member/Non-Member) Walk-ins Welcome!
RSVP BY THE MONDAY BEFORE THE EVENT FOR BEST RATE
CALL (425)353-6929 – We’ll save you a seat - don’t delay, call today!
Check, Cash or Credit Card
No Host Bar
Webinar
Hello, Landlords – For an upcoming Smoke Free webinar “A Practical Guide to Going Smoke-free for Multi-unit Housing” presented by the Washington State Department of Health, go to www.SmokeFreeWashington.com/webinar. Click this link for more information: Smoke-free Webinar
It includes information on the benefits of going smoke-free and best practices for policy implementation. Registration is free.
December Gazette
December 2011 GazetteThis Month’s Newsletter
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Recent- February 2012 GazetteFebruary 2012 Gazette […]
- Legislative Day is Near!Please Oppose - HB 2563: Establishing a state tax on capital gains, affects commercial and residential rental properties. It does not allow for tax-deferred exchanges as under federal law. With $23 billion in annual income and who knows the market values of our properties, property owners are the source for “new revenues.” HB 2564: Unlawful […]
- January Meeting Schedule ChangeDue to the impending snow, our Wednesday meeting on the 18th has been postponed. We look forward to the presentation February 15. See meeting details below. […]
- February 2012 Gazette
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