Rent control doesn’t work.
MyNorthwest (@Mynorthwest) profile pictureMyNorthwest
@MynorthwestJul 16
Washington officials announced this week that landlords can raise rents by up to 9.7% next year. The state’s rent stabilization law limits annual increases to 7% plus inflation, with a maximum rent cap of 10%. mynorthwest.com/kiro-opinion…
'It doesn't treat the disease': Gee says WA's 9.7% rent cap is a Band-Aid on a deeper affordability...

'It doesn't treat the disease': Gee says WA's 9.7% rent cap is a Band-Aid on a deeper affordability...

KIRO host Gee Scott said that while he supports the rent cap because most workers aren't seeing 10% raises, he views it as a temporary fix.

mynorthwest.com

Jul 17, 2026 · 8:25 PM UTC

1
1
11
906
The only successful thing this policy has done in Washington State is ensure that rents will go up 10% every year.
1
3
39
Meanwhile, here's a cost breakdown homeowners and renters will be looking at. Starting with home insurnace: Up 21.7% year to year, which is about $1,753 in WA state. washingtonstatestandard.com/… pnwresidences.com/blog/homeo…

Why home and auto insurance rates are up in Washington • Washington State Standard

Insurers blame rising costs for vehicle repairs and home rebuilding. For state lawmakers grappling with the issue, there are few easy fixes.

washingtonstatestandard.com
1
32
Property taxes keep going up. In King County, property tax collections are up 10% this year, even though assessed value was below that: perkinsnwre.com/blog/king-co…
1
20
Utility rates are increasing. Sewer rates in King County will go up 12.75% next year, Seattle City Light is doing a 9.5% increase, meanwhile Puget Sound Energy will be increasing electricity rates 30% and gas rates 20%. axios.com/local/seattle/2026…

Seattle power bills still lower than U.S. average — but climbing fast

Utilities across Western Washington are hiking rates, adding strain in an already pricey region.

axios.com
1
51
But for some reason, the only costs that can be controlled by the state government are housing providers all the while the costs to operate that housing continue to go up above the 7-10% rent control set by the state. More and more responsible providers are gonna get squeezed.
20