‘A victory for renters,’ Mayor Celina Benitez said after a rent stabilization legislation passed unanimously in the City Council during the February 21 special legislative meeting. Following multiple discussions with Mount Rainier residents, landlords, and property owners, Mayor Benitez and Councilmembers Jimmy Tarlau, Luke Chesek, Jarrett Stoltzfus, and Valerie Woodall all voted in favor of the new legislation that will protect renters from steep rent increases, setting a limit of 60% of the CPI in rent increases every year.
The City of Mount Rainier has a population of 8000, 75% of which are renters, according to the United States Census Bureau. Multiple residents have testified at several meetings pleading for help.
'We have been living here for 16 years, this is our home, and want to continue being here. We are asking you to pass rent stabilization,' Rosmery Cifuentes, a resident of Mount Rainier, said during the legislative meeting.
Residents said that unreasonable rent increases ranging from $50 to up to $300 a month have caused financial burdens to many families forcing many to move out of their homes.
'We are fully aware that there’s a lot of bleeding in our communities, and this is a small bandage that will help our residents as we work with the county and the state to make sure that (renter) protection is happening,' said Mayor Benitez.
'It’s no easy thing, no easy solution to this, but for us to do nothing is unacceptable,' Councilmember Tarlau added.
The new increase cap will not apply to rental properties that are less than 15 years old, rental units in buildings with 2 or fewer units, and owner-occupied rental properties. The legislation also requires the establishment of a rent stabilization board consisting of 5 members – 3 tenants, 1 landlord, and 1 homeowner.