April is Fair Housing Month in the United States, commemorating the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, signed on April 11 of that year. The law prohibits housing discrimination based on race, national origin, religion, sex, familial status and disability.
To commemorate the month, the City of Bellingham hosted an information session on April 28 to educate residents about city and state rental laws.
Julia Burns is a rental protection program specialist with the City of Bellingham. Burns prepared a slideshow highlighting residents’ rights when renting a home or renting property to others, as well as tenant rights initiatives that were adopted as city ordinances.
The ordinances, passed in June 2025, placed limits on several charges. These include capping screening fees, limiting security deposit amounts and late fees at no more than 2% of the portion of outstanding monthly rent owed by the current tenants.
They also prohibit landlords from charging tenants fees for in-unit appliances, mail processing or routine landlord duties. Both ordinances took effect Aug. 1, 2025.
Nate Christiansen, an attorney with the Northwest Justice Project, explained the rights tenants and landlords have in Bellingham and Washington state.
“There are provisions under the law to withhold rent when repairs are not completed. The provision exists and the right exists – but no, you can’t use it,” Christiansen said.
Christiansen was referring to RCW 59.18.100. The law does not allow tenants to go without rent, but it does allow tenants, in some cases, to make repairs and deduct the cost.
To legally reduce rent in Washington state, you must follow strict procedures, including giving your landlord a written notice and waiting for the required time frames for a response from your landlord.
The timelines depend on the severity of the issue, with the shortest deadlines applying to a lack of heat, hot water or electricity.
Christiansen emphasized that tenants who completely stop paying rent risk eviction.
Lisa Manos, a housing program specialist at the City of Bellingham, spoke about disability as a reasonable accommodation.
That means landlords are legally required to provide adjustments or assistance when a tenant has a disability.
“Disability as a reasonable accommodation is the number one fair housing complaint in the country, in the state and in our county,” Manos said.
Disability discrimination complaints are the most common Fair Housing Act complaints received by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, making up over 60% of total complaints, according to the National Federation of the Blind.
Outside of the event, Daniel Bannon, an engagement coordinator for the Rental Housing Association of Washington, staffed an information booth for attendees with additional questions.
“So, the Rental Housing Association of Washington provides leasing forms, education and government advocacy to small rental housing clients in Washington state,” Bannon said.
RHAWA advocates for landlords, property owners and, according to its advocacy page, opposes policies such as rent control, including House Bill 1217, which capped annual rent increases statewide.
Brodey O’Brien (he/him) is a junior at Western, majoring in news/editorial journalism and political science. He is one of The Front reporters responsible for writing about city news. When not writing for The Front, Brodey can be found running around Bellingham, hiking Mount Baker and saving up for gas. You can reach him at brodeyjob.thefront@gmail.com.
