* [Filing of Initiative 127 on March 9, 2017]

* [City Clerk letter to proponent re form and technical suggestions, March 13, 2017]

* [Transmittal of ballot title from City Attorney to City Clerk, March 16, 2017

* [Transmittal of ballot title from City Clerk to proponent, March 16, 2017]

* [Transmittal of ballot title from City Clerk to King County Elections, March 16, 2017]

WARNING

Ordinance 94289 [9] provides as follows:

Section 1. It is unlawful for any person:

1. To sign or decline to sign any petition for a City initiative, referendum, or Charter amendment, in exchange for any consideration or gratuity or promise thereof; or

2. To give or offer any consideration or gratuity to anyone to induce him or her to sign or not to sign a petition for a City initiative, referendum, or Charter amendment; or

3. To interfere with or attempt to interfere with the right of any voter to sign or not to sign a petition for a City initiative, referendum, or Charter amendment by threat, intimidation or any other corrupt means or practice; or

4. To sign a petition for a City initiative, referendum, or Charter amendment with any other than his or her true name, or to knowingly sign more than one (1) petition for the same initiative, referendum or Charter amendment measure, or to sign any such petition knowing that he or she is not a registered voter of The City of Seattle.

Section 2. Any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall upon conviction thereof be punishable by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500) or by imprisonment in the City Jail for a period not to exceed six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

INITIATIVE PETITION FOR

SUBMISSION TO THE

SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL

To the City Council of The City of Seattle:

We, the undersigned registered voters of The City of Seattle, State of Washington, propose and ask for the enactment as an ordinance of the measure known as Initiative Measure No. entitled:

(here set forth the established ballot title of the measure),

a full, true and correct copy of which is included herein, and we petition the Council to enact said measure as an ordinance; and, if not enacted within forty-five (45) days from the time of receipt thereof by the City Council, then to be submitted to the qualified electors of The City of Seattle for approval or rejection at the next regular election or at a special election in accordance with Article IV, Section 1 of the City Charter; and each of us for himself or herself says: I have personally signed this petition; I am a registered voter of The City of Seattle, State of Washington, and my residence address is correctly stated.

Petitioner's Signature Printed Name Residence Address

Street and Number Date Signed

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

INITIATIVE ___ ESTABLISHING RULES FOR TRANSPARENCY IN RENTAL PRICING

AN ORDINANCE BY THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE TO ESTABLISH RULES REQUIRING THE COST BREAKDOWN OF RENTAL UNIT PRICES (RENT) TO BE PRESENTED TO TENANTS, WRITTEN INTO NEW RENTAL AGREEMENTS, AND TO BE PRESENTED FOR EACH RENT INCREASE THAT A LANDLORD MAY REQUEST.

WHEREAS, the City of Seattle has seen a sustained population growth in recent years; and,

WHEREAS, since January 2012, the City of Seattle has seen a sharp increase in the cost of rental housing, with the current estimated average cost of a one-bedroom apartment rising 59% to approximately $23,352 annually and a two-bedroom apartment rising 74% to approximately $32,832 annually; and,

WHEREAS, housing can be seen as a service, but unlike many other services, renters are not given a breakdown of costs associated with their monthly rent; and,

WHEREAS, rent increases can range from 1% to 400+% with no explanation as to why their rent has gone up; and,

WHEREAS, renters deserve to know what they are paying for; and,

WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of Seattle expressly reserves legislative authority for the City of Seattle to the People of the

City of Seattle;

Now, Therefore, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS

FOLLOWS:

A new provision of the Seattle Municipal Code is added to read as follows:

Sec. 1. Disclosure of Costs Associated with Rent & Rent Increases

Property owners or landlords must provide to renters, in writing, a breakdown of costs included in the price of rent. These include, but are not limited to: actual cost per unit for base rent, mortgage, insurance, property taxes, rental property registration fees, costs/fees associated with maintenance, and operations.

Sec. 1.1. Upon Signing Rental Agreement

A breakdown of rental costs must be clearly written into every new rental agreement.

Sec. 1.2. Rent Increases

A breakdown of rental cost must be included in any rent increase notice.

Sec. 1.3. Renters Already on a Lease When Law Takes Effect

Upon passage of this law, property owners or landlords have 120 days to provide all current renters with a breakdown of rental

cost in writing.

Sec. 2. Right of Renters to Request Proof of Cost

At any point in which a renter questions the validity of the required rental cost breakdown, they may request that their property owner or landlord provides them with written evidence of the described costs. The property owner or landlord then has 21 days to provide written evidence to the tenant that requested it.

Sec. 3. Included Properties

This law covers all rental units in the City of Seattle, excluding those deemed exempt under Section 4.

Sec. 4. Exempted properties

The following properties are exempt from this law:

A) Owner-occupied single-family units

B) Mother-in-law or "cottage" units

C) Multi-family buildings with less than 3 units

D) Federal & State Subsidized units or properties

Sec. 5. Public Reporting of Rent Increases

The city will provide an online portal for renters, property owners, or landlords to report costs associated with rent increases. Property owners and landlord have 5 years to voluntarily provide this information after passage of this law. After 5 years, this information

will be included in each rental property registration or renewal with the Department of Construction & Inspection. At which time, the online portal will remain open for renters to report subsequent rent increases. Collection of this data will allow the City to accurately track rental cost patterns on a continual basis. Information on this resource must be given in writing at the beginning of each new tenancy.

Sec. 6. Enforcement and Penalties

The Department of Construction & Inspection (DCI) shall be given power to enforce this law.

Sec. 6.1. Failure to Report Cost Breakdowns to Renters

First-time offenders will be issued a written warning from DCI The penalty for subsequent failures to

report rental cost breakdown will be $100 per unit per month until the offense is remedied.

Sec. 6.2. Failure to Report Cost Breakdowns to DCI

Takes effect 5 years after passage. First time offenders will be issued a written warning from DCI The

penalty for subsequent failures to report rental cost breakdown to will be $20 per unit per month

until the offense is remedied.

Sec. 6.3. Providing False Information to Renters

If renters believe they are given false information, they may report the instance to DCI. If DCI finds that this

information is false property owners or landlords have 21 days, from the time of the report, to provide proof that

this information is correct, or to correct the information. If they do not act within the time allotted, renters are

free to pursue arbitration and the property owner or landlord will be liable to pay the difference in

rental cost if the information provided is proven to be false.