South Sound News

Rally held for renters' rights as Tacoma considers new protections

TACOMA, Wash. — Dozens of people rallied in Tacoma on Tuesday to fight for the rights of renters as the city council will vote Tuesday night to make some protections in place right now permanent.

Currently, the temporary protections require landlords to give about three months’ notice before terminating agreements with tenants.

An ordinance that Tacoma's council is considering would make permanent and sweeping changes to the tenant-landlord relationship.

Tenants have been demanding changes ever since a highly public battle regarding the Tiki Apartments, which had been affordable homes for low-income, disabled residents.

But the landlord changed, and the new owner wanted people out quickly, so they could renovate and raise rents.

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In that case, a 20-day eviction notice complied with the law, but tenants were unable to find affordable housing in that short time, so they banded together against the owners. Their action eventually led to a 90-day notice measure.

At the time, some Tiki tenants spoke about the issue.

“All that you've done, battled to get somewhere, is snatched out from under you. It's hard. It isn’t like I can get up and walk around and go to shelters. I can't. I can hardly walk,” said Tiki Apartments tenant Mary Young.

The proposed ordinance would require landlords to give even more notice for eviction beyond 90 days. They would also have to give notice if they plan to raise rents and offer relocation assistance for low-income renters.

The current temporary protections expire January 31, 2019.

If the new measures pass Tuesday night, they will take effect February 1.