SB 6064 is the proposed bill to address the lack of pet-friendly housing in Washington state. Lack of pet-friendly housing is one of the greatest contributors to the current shelter overcrowding crisis. For example, per Seattle Animal Shelter data from 2016 to 2022, “moving” and “landlord issues” were, respectively, the first and the sixth most cited reasons for voluntary owner/guardian surrenders for adoption.
According to the ASPCA, nearly 90 percent of landlords do not allow pets or impose significant restrictions on them. This impacts lower-income residents the most.* Such restrictions include:
No Pet Policies
Size and Breed Restrictions
Monthly Pet Rents
Pet Deposits
What About the Fair Housing Act?
The Fair Housing Act prevents the banning of support/service or assistance animals. Service, assistance and emotional support animals are not technically pets and owners do not have to pay pet fees. The most common service animals are dogs, but they may be other species (cats, birds, hamsters, etc.). Service animals may be any breed, size, or weight. Service animals are not required to have special licenses, to be certified by any government or training agency, or to have any visible identification.
Property owners cannot refuse to accept a renter because they have a service animal, nor can they charge a pet damage deposit for a service animal. The landlord, however, can charge a security deposit and may still seek money from the tenant if there is any damage caused by the animal to the home. Also, if there is a nuisance issue the landlord does have the right to try to remove the animal through legal proceedings.
Tenants are often faced with choices on how to characterize their pets. Examples of service animals include:
A cat who can detect and alerts their companion of oncoming seizures.
A dog who alleviates a person’s depression or anxiety.
A cat who reduces a person’s stress-induced pain.
A bird who alerts their hard-of-hearing companion when someone has come to the door
What Are the Rental Conditions in Seattle?
Seattle adheres to the Fair Housing Act when it comes to service or assistance animals. As for pets, Seattle property owners can charge renters a pet damage deposit, but are prevented from non-refundable pet fees. A landlord can charge pet rent. According to the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections:
The pet damage deposit cannot exceed 25 percent of the first full month's rent.
Only one pet deposit may be held per household, no matter how many pets are kept. Landlords may limit the number of pets allowed.
The pet damage deposit must be written into the rental agreement.
The renter may pay the pet damage deposit in three consecutive, equal monthly installments that begin when the pet begins living in the rental unit, or the tenant and landlord may agree to an alternative payment schedule.
What does SB 6064 do?
This bill helps ensure equity for pet owners by implementing the following:
Pet deposits capped at $150 and requiring reimbursement.
When pet deposits are already on top of security deposits, damage costs would come out of the security deposit first.
Prohibits non-reimbursable, upfront pet-related fees (these are sometimes per pet).
Prohibits monthly pet rent.
*ASPCA Presentation, Washington Animal Advocacy Meeting, January 23, 2024