Mayor Durkan extends Seattle's eviction moratorium through September
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan announced Friday she is extending the pandemic-driven moratorium through Sept. 30, marking the fifth time the eviction moratorium has been extended. The moratorium affects residential and commercial tenants.
The order means landlords cannot issue notices of termination or initiate eviction actions unless there is an imminent threat to the health and safety of the community. Late fees, interest and other charges cannot be applied. Tenants are still obligated to pay rent during the moratorium and landlords are encouraged to offer flexible payment plans.
But Durkan's decision to extend the executive order comes as apartment rents are plummeting in the city. Apartment rent prices dropped by 11% year-over-year in May. According to the Washington Multifamily Housing Association, 91% of rent goes to pay mortgages, taxes, utilities, maintenance and staff salaries. The remaining payments go to the property owner.
Seattle is set to deliver $23 million in rent relief to Seattle’s residential tenants and landlords. The City Council will consider adding an additional $28 million in rental assistance directly allocated from the American Rescue Plan Act to the city of Seattle.
https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2021/06/18/mayor-durkan-extends-eviction-moratorium.html
