wa-law.org > bill > 2025-26 > SB 5469 > Original Bill

SB 5469 - Rental housing market

Source

Section 1

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

  1. "Coordinating" or "coordinate" means the act of a service provider that:

    1. Collects historical, anticipated, or contemporary prices, price changes, supply levels, occupancy rates, or lease or rental contract termination and renewal dates of residential dwelling units from two or more landlords, from private databases, or from public databases; and

    2. Analyzes or processes the information described in (a) of this subsection through the use of a system, software, algorithm, or other automated process to provide recommendations regarding rental prices, lease renewal terms, or occupancy levels to more than one landlord.

  2. "Dwelling unit" has the same meaning as in RCW 64.37.010 or 59.18.030.

  3. "Landlord" has the same meaning as in RCW 59.18.030, or the terms "operator" or "owner" in RCW 64.37.010.

  4. "Person" means any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or association.

  5. "Service provider" means any person that performs a coordinating function.

Section 2

  1. It is a violation of this chapter for any landlord, in or affecting commerce, or any agent or subcontractor, to subscribe to, contract with, seek to obtain, or otherwise exchange anything of value in return for the services of a service provider.

  2. It is a violation of this chapter for any service provider, in or affecting commerce, to coordinate two or more landlords.

Section 3

  1. The legislature finds that the practices covered by this chapter are matters vitally affecting the public interest for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW. A violation of this chapter is not reasonable in relation to the development and preservation of business and is an unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce and an unfair method of competition and a contract in restraint of trade for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW.

  2. Only the attorney general may bring an action, in the name of the state, or as parens patriae on behalf of persons residing in the state, to enforce this chapter.

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