The City of Seattle has implemented a Tenant Relocation Assistance program for tenants who are displaced from rental properties. Let’s take a look at how the program works and what landlords need to know about it.

How Does the Program Work?
The Tenant Relocation Assistance Program is designed to provide financial assistance to eligible tenants who will be displaced because of demolition, substantial rehabilitation or alteration, change of use or removal of use restrictions.

The amount of assistance provided is determined by several factors, including household size and income level. In some cases, households with incomes below 30 percent of the area median income (AMI) may be eligible for up to $3,000 per unit in relocation assistance. In order for a tenant to qualify for this program, they must have been living in their unit for at least six months prior to being displaced.

What Do Landlords Need to Know?
Landlords must obtain a Tenant Relocation License from the Seattle
Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) before any master use, demolition, or building permit will be issued. Application for a license is required at the same time as application for project permits.

Tenants are eligible for relocation assistance payments of
$4,486.00 if they qualify as low income, which is currently defined as having a family income of no more than 50% of the King County median income. For a family of four 50% of the area median income would be $64,700. The property owner is responsible for paying half of the relocation assistance, $2,243.00; the City pays the other half. Under this program, landlords are also required to notify tenants of the pending project and to provide them with program information. Also, a landlord cannot raise the rent to avoid applying for a Tenant Relocation License. Landlords who violate the ordinances connected to Tenant Relocation are subject to fines and penalties of up to $1,000.00 per day.

Landlords can familiarize themselves with the Tenant Relocation Assistance Program through the SDCI’s Property Owner and Tenant
Assistance unit, where they can make an appointment before taking action.