Seattle: The most restrictive landlord/rental laws in the country

[Kenneth T]

I've posted a few articles below which outline the new and most restrictive ("progressive") rental laws in the country, which limit the size of security deposits, non-refundable deposits, and requires giving tenants and option for a payment plan to pay move-in fees. In addition, they are also pushing a "first come first served" policy which requires that landlords grant occupancy to the first qualified applicant. Summary and links are below. I own a rental property in Seattle, so I am currently working out how to mitigate the risk created by the Seattle City Council's restrictive policies. Any comments, advice, and discussion would be great. 

• Security deposit plus move-in fees cannot exceed the amount of the first full month’s rent
• Non-refundable move-in fees are limited to only tenant screening reports, criminal background checks, credit reports, and cleaning fees.
• Total non-refundable move-in fees are limited to 10% of the first full month’s rent
• Payment Plans Required –Landlords must allow an installment plan to pay a security deposit, a pet deposit, move-in fees, and last month’s rent. The payment plan must be structured as follows, unless otherwise agreed to by the landlord and tenant. (For rental agreements of 6 months or longer—6 consecutive and equal payments)

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/...

http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2017/01/17/...

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/...

[Kim Meredith Hampton]

@Kenneth T I am in shock right now how the "government" can tell a private homeowner what and what they can do with monies they receive!!!!! Do they help us pay our mortgages, taxes, insurance etc.... NO they dont. 

I understand their reasoning because of affordable housing, but they really should be working on how they can reduce the impact fees, taxes etc,... for developers to build more affordable housing or allowance for investors to purchase old hotels, land etc.... to also provide housing for homeless families etc... How about an incubator for people to create more companies???!!!When they burden the individual investor it hurts everyone. Most people will think twice now before investing in such a restrictive area.