Resources

Bellingham Rental Safety & Inspection Rights

Tenants in Bellingham have the right to safe and habitable housing under the city’s Rental Safety and Inspection Program. Rental units must meet health and safety standards outlined in the official Rental Safety Checklist.

If your unit has serious issues such as mold, broken heating, electrical hazards, plumbing failures, or structural problems, you can request a city inspection.

Bellingham Permit Center: (360) 778-8300
Submit a Code Enforcement Request:
https://cob.org/services/permits/code-enforcement

Important note: Some landlords hire private inspectors who may overlook or falsify reports. If your housing is unsafe, you have the right to contact the city directly.

Bellingham - Relocation Assistance After Large Rent Increases (Initiative 2023-2)

Initiative 2023-2: Economic Displacement Assistance

Initiative 2023-2, passed in Bellingham, establishes an Economic Displacement Assistance Program to protect tenants facing significant rent increases. Under this initiative, landlords are required to provide 120 days' written notice before increasing rent by more than 8% within a rolling 12-month period. If the rent increase exceeds this threshold, landlords must pay tenants relocation assistance equal to three months' rent—either based on the tenant's current monthly rate or the fair market rent for Bellingham, whichever is higher.

Tenant Responsibilities to Access Assistance

  • Eligibility: If your rent or associated housing costs increase by 8% or more within a rolling 12-month period, you may qualify for relocation assistance.

  • Notice Requirement: Upon receiving the rent increase notice, tenants must submit a written request for relocation assistance to their landlord within 45 calendar days of receiving the notice.

  • Relocation Period: Tenants who receive assistance have a 5-month relocation period from the date the assistance is received. This is the time frame within which tenants are expected to vacate the unit if they choose to move.

  • Remaining in the Unit: If you decide to remain in the unit beyond the relocation period, you will be obligated to pay the increased rent stated in the notice and repay the relocation assistance amount in full.

Relocation Assistance Amount

Tenants are entitled to relocation assistance equal to the greater of:

  1. Three times the current fair market rent for an apartment of the same size in Bellingham (as defined by HUD), or

  2. Three times your existing monthly rent.

Bellingham - Limits on Junk Fees, Deposits, and Lease Transparency (Effective 2025)

Bellingham municipal law limits excessive rental fees and requires clear cost disclosures in leases.

Common protections include:
• Screening fees capped at approximately $50 plus inflation adjustments
• Security deposits limited to one month’s rent
• Late fees capped at $75
• Prohibition on fees for normal landlord responsibilities, appliance use, or common area access

All rent, utilities, and required fees must be listed clearly on the first page of the lease.

Ferndale Junk Fee Limits, Rental Licensing & Enforcement (FMC 5.44)

In Ferndale, landlords must disclose all fees upfront and may charge only limited types of rental fees.

Allowed fees include:

  • Application fee up to $50 per tenant

  • Security deposit up to one month’s rent

  • Pet deposit up to 25% of one month’s rent (no monthly pet fees)

  • Utility charges equal to actual use

  • Late fee capped at 1.5% of unpaid rent

  • Bank fee for bounced checks

All other fees are prohibited and must be included in rent.

Common illegal fees include:

• “Administrative” or “processing” fees
• Charges to pay rent by check or online
• Fees for in-unit appliances
• Mail or package fees

Landlords must also meet safety standards and hold a valid city rental license.

To report violations:
Ferndale Code Enforcement (Eli Gallardo)
(360) 685-2365
eligallardo@cityofferndale.org