Seattle landlords barred from using criminal records when renting

Seattle landlords now have limited access to criminal backgrounds for potential renters after the Seattle City Council unanimously passed new legislation.

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The final version of the fair housing measure passed Monday. It states landlords will be barred from excluding people with criminal records in their ads. It also means they can’t ask about criminal history during the application process and they cannot reject tenants based on their records.

“They’ve paid their debt,” said Council President Bruce Harrell. “That is the bottom line. They have paid their debt to society. They’re looking to be evaluated on their strengths, and not on a decision or an unfortunate circumstance that they found themselves in years ago.”

Property owners can still refuse to rent to registered sex-offenders. And landlords who share part of their home with a tenant would be allowed more discretion in picking who they live with.

At Monday’s council meeting, a range of renters voiced their support of the measure before it passed.

“I’ve gone back to university, got a degree, I’m co-fonder of the Freedom Project; we teach non-violent communication and mindfulness practices in all Washington state prisons,” said Rusty Thomas, a former convict. “Yet I still receive the message that I don’t belong in the community.”