‘We’re not doing that’: Gee backs Seattle’s ban on rental junk fees, blasts pet rent charges

The Seattle City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to ban add-on rental fees, a major piece of Mayor Katie Wilson’s affordability agenda that will eliminate charges such as pet rent, common area usage fees, appliance rental fees, gym fees, and fees for simply paying rent.

KIRO Newsradio reporter Jillian Raftery broke down the details on “The Gee and Ursula Show,” explaining how tenant advocacy groups have said that the fees can inflate rent by 10% to 30%.

“People have seen these fees popping up, like common area usage fees, appliance rental fees, like your washer, dryer, stuff like that. Gym fees, a fee just to pay your rent, a utility usage and payment fee,” Raftery said. “So they’re just getting hit with, kind of any time you swipe your card, a fee.”

Landlord groups warn the ban could backfire

KIRO host Ursula Reutin noted that landlord groups have pushed back on eliminating pet rent, warning it could lead to higher base rents for tenants or landlords banning pets.

“Let’s say a landlord could charge tenants $50 a month, but under this ordinance, that monthly pet charge goes away,” Ursula said. “So the landlord would either have to eat that expense, increase base rents, or rely on a pet damage deposit, or simply decide there’s no more pets.”

One landlord said during the council meeting that other property owners have been raising similar concerns for a while.

“More rules means higher rent,” the landlord said.

Gee draws the line at monthly pet fees

KIRO host Gee Scott said he supports the ban on pet fees and mentioned high expenses in Bellevue that reach upwards of $1,000 just to have a pet in the house.

“This is a new thing, the whole monthly expense for the animal,” Gee said. “You guys know, back in the day, you’ve got a dog, a cat, it’s going to be an extra $250 or $500 or $1,000, whatever the case is, on your deposit. This whole paying a monthly deal — I’m sorry, I ain’t backing down on this.

“I looked this up today just to see what’s going on,” he continued. “There are places out in Bellevue right now where there’s an extra $250 a month for an animal. I’m sorry, we’re not doing that.”

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.