Seattle's Latest Insanity: ban criminal background checks

[M.C. Nachtigal]

I just saw the latest proposed insanity, set to be voted on by the Seattle City Council next Monday.  I would be surprised if it does not pass.   This one would ban all criminal background checks by landlords of prospective tenants.  So within a year we have the law about deposit limits, requiring landlords to allow tenants to pay last month/deposit in 6 installments, then the First in Time law, requiring landlords to take the first applicant to meets their previously-specified qualifications, a proposal requiring landlords to justify any rent increases with documentation of their costs, and now this preventing landlords from checking or using criminal background as a selection criteria.  For me personally, the obvious answer is that I need to get out of this business.  However, since I've barely begun, that's not going to happen immediately.  Some say that simply by raising rent and/or credit score requirements, that will weed out a fair amount of the criminal risk.  How would you feel about this?  Do any other cities have restrictions like this?

[Joseph M.]

Just wow!

In L.A they passed a law that employers can't ask about criminal background on job applications anymore. Since they copied the idea for the $15 hr minimum wage from Seattle...I wouldn't be surprised if the geniuses on the L.A City council that are over paid ..making $180,000 yr each plus benefits will enact this next.

From the article

"

“Nobody is more safe when people who have criminal backgrounds are unhoused,” said Councilmember Lisa Herbold, chair of the committee and a sponsor of the ordinance with Council President Bruce Harrell.

Ok so if Lisa Herbold is so worried about criminals getting housing..I wonder how many criminals she has invited into her home to live with her family...