Over the past five years, the incredible demand for housing could not be met due to the low number of empty apartments. In many Seattle neighborhoods, the apartment vacancy rate was below one percent. With rising rents, tenants were forced to stay put and pay whatever landlords demanded, or attempt the near-impossible task of finding another place. Many tenants were forced into silence, not asking for repairs for fear of retaliatory rent increases. When tenants did ask for repairs, landlords abused the power the economy gave them and ignored their legal requests. Landlords knew tenants had no out. Over the past year, however, things have changed. This fall, the vacancy rate for apartments in buildings with 20 or more units in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties was up 35 percent from the previous year.
Now, instead of landlords abusing the market, tenants have a chance to gain ground in the landlord/tenant tug-of-war. It's time for renters to seize the economic moment.
· In the past, landlords refused to give tenants the little security provided by a lease. Now, tenants are in a position to suggest leases--at reduced rents. If your prospective landlord does not accept your offer, leave. Better yet, tenants will be more successful at getting rent reductions by acting as a group. Imagine if you and all of your neighbors held a meeting with your landlord. You give the landlord the option of signing year leases at $50 less per month or accepting all of your notices to vacate. The only thing a landlord hates worse than the loss of money from an empty apartment is the losses from an empty apartment building.
· Take advantage of those signs you've seen for "One Month Free!" or other goodies. [See "Desperately Seeking Renters," Amy Jenniges, Feb 7.] If you don't see a sign, offer the landlord a deal: Say you'll move in if they give you a free month's rent. Landlords are in a pinch, and may take you up on it. Also, really look the apartment over, and get in writing any improvements or repairs you want.
· If you are concerned that moving isn't possible due to bad credit or references, think again. In the past, with so many lining up for rare vacant units, landlords could be finicky. Anyone with bad credit or references, no matter how insignificant, would be turned away in favor of others. Now, chances are, your landlord has relaxed his standards.
· When you move in, read the lease. If you do not like a rule, negotiate a change. If the lease says you must pay a fee for moving in, say, "No way." Be prepared to set some conditions before you sign a lease.
· Once you are in a place you like, or if you remain where you are, ask your landlord to make necessary repairs: leaky faucet, lack of adequate heat, broken steps, etc.
· While you are at it, get improvements. Tired of that old carpet, the fridge or stove that half-works, or the paint peeling off your dingy walls? Tell your landlord you need new carpets and appliances, and that your walls need to be painted.
· Now is the time to learn your rights and assert them. In Seattle, your landlord is required by law to provide you a copy of your basic rights as a renter. If he hasn't, ask for it. If he refuses, you have the right to sue for $100. A variety of landlord behaviors you have tolerated can now be stopped. Has your landlord been entering your home without your permission, or charging you late fees that aren't in your lease? Assert your rights and stop him/her.
· Call Council Member Judy Nicastro, the only tenant on the Seattle City Council. Thank her for her past work for renters and tell her the fight is just beginning. This is no time to back away from the wave of renter dissent that got her into office. Tell her that now is not the time to change the name or focus of the committee she chairs at city hall. (Nicastro recently switched the name of her Landlord/Tenant and Land Use Committee to simply the Land Use Committee.)
Tell her to dust off that forgotten to-do list from her 1999 Renters Summit, and take action on rent control and right of first refusal.
To learn how to assert your rights or to join the Tenants Union, check out www.tenantsunion.org or call the union's tenants rights hotline at 723-0500.
Scott Winn is a former organizer with the Tenants Union of Washington State.
