Find out more about Fair Housing Laws, city and state rental laws and requirements, ordinances protecting vulnerable renters, and what to do if you think a law has been broken.
Federal Housing Discrimination Laws
The federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and its amendments protect people from housing discrimination. Learn about protections and how to report housing discrimination. All housing providers (including property owners, managers, and leasing agents) are subject to Fair Housing laws. The City of Bellingham has codified certain aspects of tenants’ rights that will be enforced in the City in BMC 10.48.030. The City also provides regular trainings available to landlords, property owners, and tenants.
What does the Fair Housing Act do?
Because housing choice is so essential, the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and its amendments protect people from housing discrimination because of their: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or family status (having children or being pregnant). In addition Washington State Fair Housing laws also covers: marital status (being single, married or divorced); sexual orientation; gender identity and military / veteran status.
Together, we refer to all of these groups as “protected classes.” Housing practices should not discriminate against or negatively affect these state and federal protected classes.
Need help filing a complaint?
If you believe you have been discriminated against, there are several organizations that can help you file and investigate a complaint.
- Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regional office.
- Fair Housing Center of Washington (1-253-274-9523)
- City of Bellingham, Community Development Division: If you are unsure you have been discriminated against or need help finding the right resources, please contact Lisa Manos at lmanos@cob.org or 1-360-778-8391.
Victims of domestic violence
On February 9, 2011, HUD issued a memorandum with clear guidance that “domestic violence survivors who are denied housing, evicted or deprived of assistance based on the violence in their homes may have a cause of action for sex discrimination under the Fair Housing Act”. Furthermore, the federal Violence Against Women Act provides that being a victim of domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault cannot be the basis of a lease violation or eviction.
Reasonable accommodations for a disability
If you have a disability, you also have the right to make reasonable modifications to your living environment at your own expense (for example, installing ramps or handrails) or request reasonable accommodations (for example, an assigned parking space or lower mailbox). The accommodation must be directly related to your disability. A landlord’s refusal to allow reasonable accommodations or modifications can count as a form of housing discrimination.
Retaliation
Washington State law also protects people from retaliation in the event they do file a fair housing complaint. It is unlawful to harass, intimidate or punish someone who files a housing discrimination complaint or participates in an investigation. But don’t wait: complaints must be made within one year of the violation! Contact the Washington State Human Rights Commission for more information (toll free at 1.800.233.3247).
Resources
- 2018-2022 Assessment of Fair Housing (PDF)
- Fair Housing Center of WA Interview
- Service Animal Sample Policy
Contact Us
For questions about Fair Housing Laws, contact Lisa Manos in the Planning and Community Development Department at 1-360-778-8361 or email lmanos@cob.org
State Landlord-Tenant Law
The state Residential Landlord-Tenant Act creates the over-arching rules for the landlord-tenant relationship for residential rentals.
Washington State’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.18) defines rights and responsibilities of owners and tenants, identifies permitted elements in leases, and sets forth procedures for owners and tenants to assert their rights in court.
Some key provisions of this law:
- Maintenance Issues: You can find information related to resolving maintenance issues in Sec. 59.18.060, which details what standards must be maintained by the rental owner.
- Tenant Health and Safety Requirements: Sec. 59.18.115 identifies procedures that tenants need to follow to address health and safety issues in rentals.
- Notice Requirements for Terminating a Lease: The law says landlords must give proper notice and can only terminate a lease for an acceptable cause. See Section 59.18.650(2) for a list of acceptable reasons to terminate a residency.
- Move-In Checklist Requirement: Are you paying a security or damage deposit? If so, Washington State Law (RCW 59.18.260) requires that you receive a detailed move-in checklist or written statement that documents the condition of the unit. Before moving in your belongings, you and your landlord or property manager should each walk through the unit and note any existing issues, and you should both sign the checklist. Your landlord or property manager must provide you with a .copy of this list
The Washington State Bar Association’s brochure entitled Landlord-Tenant Rights clearly explains the key aspects of the state law.
City Rental Ordinances
The following are some of the codes that help reduce conflict and maintain the livability of neighborhoods in Bellingham. If you don’t see a particular topic listed below, you may try going directly to the Bellingham Municipal Code (BMC) and searching for it.
- BMC 6.11 – Source of Income Protection
- BMC 6.12 – Notice of Rent Increase (See FAQs for details)
- BMC 6.13 – 60 Day Notice to Vacate
- BMC 6.15 – Rental Registration and Safety Inspection Program
- BMC 9.12.070 – Accumulation of Garbage and Refuse
- BMC 10.24.120 – Public Disturbance Noise
- BMC 10.24.130 – Fireworks Regulations
- BMC 10.28.020 – Nuisances Declared (property-related nuisances, etc.)
- BMC 10.60.130 – Property Owners’ Duty to Keep Premises Litter-Free
- BMC 11.33.040 – Parking Not to Obstruct Driveways
- BMC 11.33.060 – Other parking prohibitions including parking in front of mail boxes or parking for more than 24 hours.
- BMC 11.33.185 – Parking Within Residential Yards Prohibited
General Information about Locking Mailbox Requirements for Rentals
The locking mailbox requirement is designed to help reduce mail theft, support renters’ financial security and protect them from identity theft. When someone’s mail is stolen, they are at higher risk for identity theft.
- The ordinance received final approval from Bellingham City Council on October 21, 2024, with an effective date of January 1, 2025.
- As of the effective date, Rental Safety Inspectors will check to see that rental units have locking mailboxes as part of their scheduled inspections of rental units. Beyond that, we will also ensure rental units have locking mailboxes if renters submit code enforcement requests.
- As is our standard process, if a unit is found to be out of compliance, we will work with property managers to bring them into compliance. If they don’t come into compliance, they would be subject to penalties.
- Additional details about these rules can be found in BMC 6.15.050 B.14.
Requirements for Selecting and Placing Mailboxes
If you’re buying a new mailbox:
- Be sure to look for the “USPS Approved” stamp.
- The box is required to be large enough to handle daily mail and full-size envelopes without bending. You may also want to consider a box able to accommodate small parcels, such as mail order prescriptions.
- You can avoid consulting the Permit Center by choosing a mailbox that is not substantially larger than the existing mailbox – if the new one is substantially larger and interferes with accessways, such as hallways, you will need to consult the Permit Center.
Choosing a mailbox location:
- When replacing the mailbox, you can install the new mailbox in the same location as the old one without notifying the Permit Center or USPS.
- If you relocate the mailbox and are part of an apartment complex or grouping of mailboxes, you will need to consult the Permit Center and get permission from USPS.
- Those with questions regarding mailbox location should visit the Post Office and bring a photo ID and a piece of first-class mail, such as a bill with their name on it.
Please review guidance from USPS
Before purchasing and installing locking mailboxes, we highly encourage you to review USPS guidance. They have up-to-date locking mailbox requirements on their website, including what types of mailboxes you can install and where:
In the November 2023 general election, Bellingham voters approved citizen-led Initiative 2023-02 Rental Relocation Assistance Program for Tenants. The initiative effective date is January 27, 2024 (60 calendar days after the canvassing board certified the election results).
According to the ordinance, the City of Bellingham is not designated to enforce requirements stated in the initiative. However, pursuant to Section 4, landlords are required to provide notice to the City of:
- All requests for relocation assistance, within 30 days of receipt of such notices; and
- All payments of relocation assistance within 30 days of making such payments.
Notices should be emailed to rentals@cob.org, or mailed/delivered to the Rental Registration team at City Hall, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham WA 98225.
For more details on this initiative, including enforcement information, please refer to the ordinance (page 5 of the pdf).
