2026 Year in Review

What WBPA delivered for Washington property owners in 2026

2026 was a hard year for Washington's real estate industry, and WBPA was in the fight every step of the way: in the Legislature, in the courts, and at the ballot box.

Wins in the Legislature

Rental notice reform passed (HB 2664 and HB 2452). Unlawful detainer notices can now go by regular mail instead of certified mail, and rent increase notices can be served by personal delivery, mail, or posting.
Homeless encampments bill stopped (HB 2489). It would have significantly restricted enforcement of public space laws.
Mobile dwelling units bill stopped (HB 1443). It would have added new density pressure in residential and commercial areas.

WBPA also supported the estate tax fix (SB 6347).

Fighting the rent cap in court

WBPA is a funder and coalition member in MHCW v. State of Washington, the constitutional challenge to the 2025 statewide rent cap (EHB 1217). The cap hits manufactured housing communities hardest: a permanent 5 percent limit with no way to recover the cost of roads, water, sewer, and electrical systems. The trial court sided with the State, and the fight continues on appeal.

Keeping members informed

Weekly Real Estate Update. Every Thursday at 5:00 p.m. during session, members joined a live Zoom briefing with the WBPA bill tracker and strategy.
2026 Supreme Court voter guide. Five of nine seats on the Washington Supreme Court were on the ballot. WBPA's guide covered all five races.

Looking ahead to 2027

The 2027 session convenes January 11. WBPA's priorities:

Promote electronic notices, so tenants can opt in to notices by email and regular mail
Oppose the rental junk fee bill
Defeat new real estate taxes
Keep all real estate exempt from the capital gains tax
No tax on rent

We also have unfinished business: the pay transparency fix (HB 2377) and the Retail Theft Accountability Act (HB 2729).

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