In August 2017, the Seattle City Council voted unanimously to make it illegal for landlords to refuse prospective tenants based only on a criminal background check (only adult sex offenders can be automatically excluded).
Incredibly, our former mayor, who resigned after multiple allegations of homosexual abuse with minors, was still in office when that passed!
In 2016, the Council also passed a “First Come, First Served” rule, which means a landlord must rent to the first “qualified” applicant.
The Council has also passed fee and deposit restrictions on rentals.
Unsurprisingly, civic leaders and groups are now publicly outraged that Seattle has suddenly become the 5th most expensive rental market in America!
Any shrewd, experienced landlord, could work around those Seattle rules and regulations. You have to, if you want to stay in business in the real estate game.
I come from a long line of landlords, business owners, and bosses, so maybe it’s just instinctual to me.
And how does one prove that one is the first applicant?
I'd tell every applicant: "Sorry, I've already found a new renter - indeed, 'it' is a Black LBGQB etc. - all in keeping with the "1st Come"-rule, so, tough luck! But maybe I can help you anyway. Let me show you the apartment anyway. I might know of a friend with a virtually identical apartment to rent out, so come and take a look at this one anyway. Maybe we can work something out (wink, wink)."
Regards,