Rental housing market

AN ACT Relating to prohibiting algorithmic rent fixing and 1
noncompete agreements in the rental housing market; and adding a new 2
chapter to Title 19 RCW. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The definitions in this section apply 5
throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires 6
otherwise.7
(1) "Coordinating" or "coordinate" means the act of a service 8
provider that: 9
(a) Collects historical, anticipated, or contemporary prices, 10
price changes, supply levels, occupancy rates, or lease or rental 11
contract termination and renewal dates of residential dwelling units 12
from two or more landlords, from private databases, or from public 13
databases; and 14
(b) Analyzes or processes the information described in (a) of 15
this subsection through the use of a system, software, algorithm, or 16
other automated process to provide recommendations regarding rental 17
prices, lease renewal terms, or occupancy levels to more than one 18
landlord. 19
(2) "Dwelling unit" has the same meaning as in RCW 64.37.010 or 20
59.18.030. 21
S-0680.2
SENATE BILL 5469
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Senators Salomon, Bateman, Trudeau, Frame, Hasegawa, Lovelett,
Nobles, Pedersen, Saldaña, Shewmake, Valdez, and C. Wilson
Read first time 01/23/25. Referred to Committee on Housing.
p. 1 SB 5469
(3) "Landlord" has the same meaning as in RCW 59.18.030, or the 1
terms "operator" or "owner" in RCW 64.37.010. 2
(4) "Person" means any natural person, corporation, partnership, 3
limited liability company, firm, or association. 4
(5) "Service provider" means any person that performs a 5
coordinating function. 6
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) It is a violation of this chapter for 7
any landlord, in or affecting commerce, or any agent or 8
subcontractor, to subscribe to, contract with, seek to obtain, or 9
otherwise exchange anything of value in return for the services of a 10
service provider.11
(2) It is a violation of this chapter for any service provider, 12
in or affecting commerce, to coordinate two or more landlords.13
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The legislature finds that the 14
practices covered by this chapter are matters vitally affecting the 15
public interest for the purpose of applying the consumer protection 16
act, chapter 19.86 RCW. A violation of this chapter is not reasonable 17
in relation to the development and preservation of business and is an 18
unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce and an unfair method of 19
competition and a contract in restraint of trade for the purpose of 20
applying the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW.21
(2) Only the attorney general may bring an action, in the name of 22
the state, or as parens patriae on behalf of persons residing in the 23
state, to enforce this chapter. 24
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 1 through 3 of this act 25
constitute a new chapter in Title 19 RCW.26
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