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Information for Tenants Page 7 of 15 OTHER CITY ORDINANCES THAT AFFECT TENANTS AND LANDLORDS 1. Open Housing and Public Accommodations Ordinance This ordinance prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, parental status, sexual orienta- tion, gender identity, political ideology, participation in the Housing Choice Vouchers Program (Section 8), or disability; requires landlords to rent a housing unit on first-come-first-served basis; and to accept subsi- dies and alternative sources of income to pay for the tenant’s housing costs. Inquiries about this ordinance and complaints of violations should be directed to the Seattle Office for Civil Rights at (206) 684-4500. 2. Condominium and Cooperative Conversion Ordinances When a residential building is being converted to condominium or cooperative units, the Condominium and Cooperative Conversion ordinances require a housing code inspection. Additionally, in a condominium conversion, a tenant must receive a written 120-day notice of the conver- sion. If the tenant decides not to buy his or her unit, the tenant may be eligible to receive the equivalent of three (3) months' rent in relocation assistance if the tenant's annual income, from all sources, does not ex- ceed 80 percent of the area median income, adjusted for household size. A household which otherwise qualifies to receive relocation benefits and which in- cludes a member sixty-five (65) years of age or older or an individual with "special needs," as defined in the ordinance, may qualify for additional assistance. In a cooperative conversion, a tenant must receive a 120-day notice of intention to sell the unit. If the tenant decides not to buy his or her unit, the tenant must be paid $500.00 in relocation assistance. Relocation assistance is paid directly to the tenant by the property owner or developer. The assistance must be paid no later than the date on which a ten- ant vacates his or her unit. For further information, contact SDCI Code Compli- ance at (206) 615-0808. 3. Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance This ordinance applies when tenants are displaced by housing demolition, change of use, substantial rehabilitation, or by removal of use restrictions from subsidized housing. A property owner who plans development activity must obtain a tenant relocation license and a building or use permit before terminat- ing a tenancy. All tenants must receive a 90-day no- tice of the activity that will require them to move. Eligi- ble low income tenants, whose annual income cannot exceed 50% of the area median income, receive cash relocation assistance. It is a violation of this ordinance to increase housing costs for the purpose of avoiding applying for a Tenant Relocation License. Call SDCI at (206) 615-0808 for more information. 4. Repair and Maintenance—Housing and Building Maintenance Code This ordinance requires owners to meet certain mini- mum standards and keep buildings in good repair. If an owner does not make necessary repairs, a tenant can report needed repairs by calling SDCI at (206) 615-0808. If an inspector finds code violations, the owner will be required to make needed corrections. 5. Third Party Billing Ordinance This ordinance defines rules for landlords who, by themselves or through private companies, bill ten- ants for City provided utilities (water, sewer, garbage, electric services) separately from their rent. The ordi- nance applies to all residential buildings having three or more housing units. The rules require a landlord or billing agent to provide tenants with specific information about their bills and to disclose their billing practices, either in a rental agreement or in a separate written notice. It is a violation of the ordinance if a landlord imposes a new billing practice without appropriate notice. A tenant can dispute a third-party billing by notify- ing the billing agent and explaining the basis for the dispute. This must be done within 30 days of receiv- ing a bill. The billing agent must contact the tenant to discuss the dispute within 30 days of receiving notice of the dispute. A tenant can also file a complaint with the Seattle Office of the Hearing Examiner or take the landlord to court. If the Hearing Examiner or court rules in favor of the tenant, the landlord could be required to pay a penalty. 6. Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance (RRIO) The purpose of the Rental Registration and Inspec- tion program is to ensure that all rental housing in the City of Seattle is safe and meets basic housing maintenance requirements. Beginning in 2014 all