Washington state Senate amends rent cap bill, raises limit to 10%

SEATTLE — The Washington State Senate voted to amend a House bill that initially proposed capping annual rent increases at 7%. The revised bill now sets the annual cap on rent increases at 10% plus the Consumer Price Index.

The inclusion of the Consumer Price Index means in years of higher inflation, landlords can raise rents by more than 10%.

Additionally, the Senate approved an amendment that exempts single-family homes from the cap if they are not owned by a corporation.

The bill will now return to the House, where both chambers must agree on the amendments before it can be sent to the governor for his signature.