The Seattle City Council recently passed an ordinance that caps apartment move-in charges and allows residents to pay these costs in installments.
Going forward, the security deposit and any nonrefundable fees cannot be more than the cost of the first month’s rent, and pet deposits are limited to 25?percent of the first month’s rent.
However, the city council also approved an amendment that exempts landlords who live on-site from these move-in cost restrictions.
The ordinance will go into effect in the new year; the exact date depends on whether the mayor signs the bill.