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With more than half of Bellingham residents renting their homes, we want to create better, more regular opportunities to hear from people who rent and people who manage rentals. The Landlord and Tenant Advisory Work Group will help evaluate and identify improvements for City rental programs, policies and practices. Members will represent tenants, landlords, and community members with lived and professional experience in rental issues.
We are currently seeking applicants to participate in this advisory group. Apply before July 15, 2026 for first consideration.
Membership
The work group will be composed of 9-13 members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. This advisory group has defined member roles to help ensure we hear from diverse voices and perspectives. You can find the requirements for members of this advisory group below.
Potential members will be asked to affirm their availability for the meeting schedule prior to being appointed. The group will meet approximately monthly, tentatively 6-8 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at Bellingham City Hall.
- Additional information about expectations of advisory group members, and of the City in facilitating advisory groups, is available on our Facilitating Successful Community Engagement with City Advisory Groups page.
Timeline and meeting schedule
- Work group members are expected to be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council no later than September 2026.
- We will accept applications until members are appointed by Council in late summer 2026. People who are interested in serving on the advisory group should apply by July 15, 2026 for first consideration.
- The first meeting is tentatively scheduled for September 15, 2026. The group will meet approximately monthly, tentatively 6-8 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Bellingham City Hall.
- All work of the work group, including presentation of a final report and recommendations, is expected to be completed no later than the end of 2027.
- The work group will terminate upon presentation of a final report and recommendations to the Mayor and City Council.
Background and purpose
The City’s landlord and tenant programs are critical to supporting safe, quality rental housing in Bellingham. Originally established in 2015, the City’s Rental Registration and Safety Inspection Program currently has more than 22,500 rental units registered. In recent years, the City has put additional requirements in place to support fair, affordable, and accessible rental housing.
Feedback from affected people and businesses has been essential to our landlord and tenant actions in recent years, and City leaders wish to hear additional input.
Meeting materials
Agendas, minutes, and other meeting materials can be found here when the work group begins meeting.
Additional Information
- Resolution #2026-10 creating the Landlord and Tenant Advisory Work Group
- Mayor’s Executive Order 2024-02 Expanding Housing Options in Bellingham
- Rental Registration and Safety Inspection Program
