Washington REALTORS®

In this episode of the Legal Hotline, Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons is joined by Mary Hull-Drury, Director of Government Affairs, to explain the recent changes to the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, most notably the newly enacted rent control policies.

What You’ll Learn:

• A brief history and policy behind rent control legislation in Washington

• How rent stabilization became a legislative priority

• The role of REALTOR® advocacy during the 2025 legislative session

• What these new laws mean for landlords, property managers, and tenants

• How members can stay informed and compliant

Whether you’re advising clients or managing your own rental properties, this video will help you understand how these sweeping changes affect your responsibilities under the law.

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Disclaimer: Legal Hotline services, including videos, articles, and access to the Hotline, are a Washington REALTOR® member-only educational benefit and do not constitute legal counsel. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

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Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.

In this episode of our latest legal hotline series, Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons is joined by Jennifer Hohnstein, attorney at Williams Kastner, and Mary Hull-Drury, WR’s Government Affairs Director, to walk you through the correct legal process for delivering a rent increase notice under Washington’s updated Residential Landlord-Tenant Act.

You’ll learn:

• The minimum 90-day notice requirement

• Why local jurisdictions may require longer notice

• The step-by-step process for proper delivery (hand delivery, posting, and mailing)

• How the certified mail requirement changes after July 27

• What constitutes a suitable age for delivery

• The risks of improper delivery and potential legal consequences

This video is essential for landlords, property managers, and real estate professionals navigating Washington’s rent regulations.

Don’t risk a void rent increase—stay compliant and informed.

Don't forget to share with other agents and subscribe!

Starring Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer)

Guest: Jennifer Hohnstein (Attorney: Williams Kastner)

Mary Hull-Drury (Washington REALTORS® Director of Government Affairs)

Disclaimer: Legal Hotline services, including videos, articles, and access to the Hotline, are a Washington REALTOR® member-only educational benefit and do not constitute legal counsel. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

__________________

Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.

In this episode of Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline, Annie Fitzsimmons (WR Legal Hotline Lawyer) is joined by Jennifer Hohnstein (Attorney with Williams Kastner) and Mary Hall Drury (WR Government Affairs Director) to explore critical updates to Washington’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Act following the 2025 legislative session.

What You’ll Learn:

• Which properties are exempt from Washington’s rent increase cap

• The legal definition of “new construction” for rent control purposes

• Exemptions for shared living spaces, ADUs, and multi-family units

• The mandatory statutory rent increase notice form

• What documentation is required when claiming an exemption

• Risks and penalties for failing to comply with the new law

Whether you manage one unit or a large portfolio, this episode will help you understand your legal obligations when increasing rent in Washington.

Referenced Legislation:

• House Bill 1217: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/housing-policy/hb1217-landlord-resource-center/

• RCW 59.18 (Residential Landlord-Tenant Act)

Don't forget to share with other agents and subscribe!

Starring Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer)

Guest: Jennifer Hohnstein (Attorney: Williams Kastner)

Mary Hull-Drury (Washington REALTORS® Director of Government Affairs)

Disclaimer: Legal Hotline services, including videos, articles, and access to the Hotline, are a Washington REALTOR® member-only educational benefit and do not constitute legal counsel. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

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Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.

Join 2025 Washington REALTORS® President John Blom and Government Affairs Director Mary Hull-Drury as they break down the highlights of the 105-day legislative session. From major housing supply wins to new rent stabilization laws and tax developments, this episode delivers what broker-owners and designated brokers need to know.

Topics include:

• Middle housing, lot splits, and condo reforms

• Rent cap legislation and zoning changes

• Real estate tax impacts and legislative victories

• Key housing data initiatives and permit reforms

• What’s next: possible special session and elections

Stay informed and ready to guide your brokers through evolving policy changes.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more updates from Washington REALTORS®.

#RealEstate #HousingPolicy #WashingtonLegislature #BrokerLeadership #WashingtonREALTORS #DBrief

Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.

In this episode of our Legal Hotline series, Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons is joined by attorney Jennifer Hohnstein of Williams Kastner and Mary Hull-Drury, Director of Government Affairs, to unpack the major changes to the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act enacted during the 2025 legislative session.

This video is essential for property owners, real estate investors, and property managers who are navigating Washington’s updated landlord-tenant laws.

Don't forget to share with other agents and subscribe!

Starring Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer)

Guest: Jennifer Hohnstein (Attorney: Williams Kastner)

Mary Hull-Drury (Washington REALTORS® Director of Government Affairs)

Disclaimer: Legal Hotline services, including videos, articles, and access to the Hotline, are a Washington REALTOR® member-only educational benefit and do not constitute legal counsel. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.

In this episode of our real estate legal series, Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons is joined by Title Officer Jake Mensinger to discuss how brokers can identify foreclosure red flags in a preliminary title commitment.

Learn why relying on the seller for disclosure isn’t enough, how to interpret deed of trust exceptions, and what steps to take when foreclosure is a factor in a transaction. This episode emphasizes the importance of timing, communication with title and escrow officers, and recognizing when to escalate issues to managing brokers or legal counsel.

Don't forget to share with other agents and subscribe!

Starring Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer)

Guest: Jake Mensinger (Title Officer with First American Title Insurance Company

Disclaimer: Legal Hotline services, including videos, articles, and access to the Hotline, are a Washington REALTOR® member-only educational benefit and do not constitute legal counsel. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

__________________

Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.

In this episode, Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons is joined by title officer Jake Mensinger to discuss an important but often overlooked topic: special tax classifications in preliminary title commitments. Whether you’re a listing broker or buyer’s agent, understanding how open space, agricultural, or timber classifications affect closing costs is critical to protecting your clients—and your transactions.

Don't forget to share with other agents and subscribe!

Starring Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer)

Guest: Jake Mensinger (Title Officer with First American Title Insurance Company

Disclaimer: Legal Hotline services, including videos, articles, and access to the Hotline, are a Washington REALTOR® member-only educational benefit and do not constitute legal counsel. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

__________________

Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.

In this episode of our legal hotline series, Washington Realtors Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons is joined by title expert Jake Metzinger to unpack one of the most misunderstood parts of a real estate transaction: easements and encroachments in title commitments.

Brokers—don’t miss this essential conversation! Learn why it’s critical not to diagnose title issues yourself but to identify red flags and advise clients to seek expert help. From sewer easements that derail pool plans to encroachments that could trigger lawsuits, we cover real examples and offer guidance on when to raise the alarm.

Don't forget to share with other agents and subscribe!

Starring Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer)

Guest: Jake Mensinger (Title Officer with First American Title Insurance Company

Disclaimer: Legal Hotline services, including videos, articles, and access to the Hotline, are a Washington REALTOR® member-only educational benefit and do not constitute legal counsel. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

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Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.

In this episode of “You Mean I Actually Have to Read the Title Commitment?”, Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons teams up again with Jake Metzinger of First American Title to tackle a highly technical — but incredibly important — issue: insurable access to property, also known as ingress and egress.

If a property doesn’t have legal, recorded access to a public road, it could be landlocked, and that creates significant legal and logistical challenges for both buyers and sellers. Annie and Jake walk you through what brokers should look for in a preliminary title commitment, what it means if access is missing or uncertain, and how road maintenance agreements play a crucial role in closing deals on private roads.

Disclaimer: Legal Hotline services, including videos, articles, and access to the Hotline, are a Washington REALTOR® member-only educational benefit and do not constitute legal counsel. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.

In this episode of “You Mean I Have to Read the Title Commitment?”, Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons is joined by Jake Metzinger from First American Title to explore a critical but often overlooked topic: Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs).

While CC&Rs might seem like standard paperwork, they can significantly impact a buyer’s or seller’s rights, property use, and even the legality of a sale. This episode provides real-world examples of how CC&Rs can affect daycares, RV parking, short-term rentals, pet ownership, and even the ability to list or sell property due to recorded listing agreements or discriminatory clauses.

Don't forget to share with other agents and subscribe!

Starring Annie Fitzsimmons (WR's Legal Hotline Lawyer)

Guest: Jake Mensinger (Title Officer with First American Title Insurance Company

Disclaimer: Legal Hotline services, including videos, articles, and access to the Hotline, are a Washington REALTOR® member-only educational benefit and do not constitute legal counsel. If you’re a primary member in good standing, visit warealtor.org with your M1 ID and password to access more features.

__________________

Copyright © 2025 Washington REALTORS®.

Please contact Washington REALTORS® (1-800-562-6024)

before using this video outside of YouTube.