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Tacoma Provisional License Changes Would Require non-Tacoma Resident Landlords to Have a Local “Agent”
The City of Tacoma’s Tax and Licensing Department is proposing changes to the City’s Provisional License ordinance. RHA’s biggest concern with the proposed amendments is a proposal which would mandate that any landlord who is a non-Tacoma resident be required to have an “agent” residing within the City.
There are two upcoming meetings which all Tacoma landlords should be aware of, and attempt to attend if at all possible.
”¢ Friday, November 2nd from 2:00 pm ”“ 3:00 pm – Public Comment held at the Tacoma Municipal Building North, 733 Market St, Room #16.
Ӣ Monday, November 5th from 4:30 pm Р6:00 pm РTacoma Council Neighborhoods and Housing Committee.
RHA’s concerns with this proposal include:
Ӣ Increased housing costs due to the need to hire an agent within the City.
Ӣ Stripping a landlord of their right to be the sole operator of their property.
Ӣ For small (1-4 units) owners the proposal would force the use of property management companies upon them, defeating one of the most common approaches to building wealth in rental real estate: sweat equity.
Another aspect that is troubling deals with owners who rent or lease property to a person engaging in a business activity. These changes would require that the property owner certify that the lessee or the business owner has an active business license with the City of Tacoma. It is unreasonable to ask private property owners to police the City’s policies requiring business licenses.
If you cannot make the meetings but would still like to provide input on the changes to the rental license requirements please email City Council (see link in left-hand side bar) and/or Tacoma’s Tax & License Department at [email protected] or (253)-591-5252.
A sample letter is provided below.
Sample letter to Tacoma Council
Dear Councilmembers,
I am writing as an owner of rental housing in the City of Tacoma, and am concerned with a proposal being brought forth by the Tax & Licensing Department which would create two new requirements under the City’s licensing requirements for rental housing.
I oppose legislation which would mandate that any landlord who is a non-Tacoma resident be required to have an “agent” residing within the City. This idea will only serve to increase the costs of housing in Tacoma for tenants, as well as impact a property owners’ ability to build equity in their property (the primary purpose of owning rental housing). If there is a need for accurate contacts for rental properties in Tacoma then the City should focus on procuring those contacts at the time of rental registration. Also, out-of-State owners, under RCW 59.18.060 (14), are already required to have a designated contact within the county in which the property resides.
The second aspect would require that owners renting to a person engaging in a business activity shall certify that the lessee or the business owner has an active business license with the City of Tacoma. It is an unreasonable request to ask private property owners to police the City’s policies requiring business licenses, and is not a duty required of owners under the State’s landlord-tenant act.
Thank you for your time and consideration of my concerns.
Sincerely,
