‘They no longer have a place to rent’: Jake warns of unintended consequences as Tacoma voters favor stronger tenant protections

Tacoma’s Safe Homes for All initiative led in early election returns with more than 60% support, putting the city on course to expand enforcement of tenant protections. The measure would establish rental licensing, increase penalties for violations, and require landlords to bargain in good faith with tenant unions.

The results prompted KIRO hosts Jake Skorheim and Spike O’Neill to debate whether additional protections would help renters or reduce their housing options during “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio.

“I like some of the elements of this Safe Homes for All initiative,” Spike said. “I like some of the elements requiring landlords to register rental properties to make sure that tenant protections are in place. Landlords, if they can’t make enough money, they get out of the business.”

Rental licensing, penalties are part of the proposal

The initiative would phase in rental licenses for landlords, with large landlords and repeat offenders required to obtain them within 18 months. Other landlords would have three years. License fees would fund administration and enforcement of tenant safety and protection laws.

Jake questioned whether increased requirements would make owners less willing to rent their properties.

“You have people who own buildings or single-family units or homes that they might be willing to rent out,” Jake said. “Maybe the tenants have more protections.”

Jake then compared the effects of rental regulations with his concerns about wage requirements for businesses.

“You’ve now regulated the private market out of the business, and I think we’re also going to see that in Tacoma,” Jake said.

The measure’s penalty provisions allow fines of at least $500 and up to five times the monthly rent for a violation, with the amount determined through a scale considering severity, harm, and other factors.

Spike defends stronger accountability for landlords

The initiative builds on existing tenant laws rather than creating Tacoma’s first rental protections. Its stated purpose is to improve compliance through education, organizing, and enforcement.

Spike acknowledged that owners might leave the rental business but questioned whether that necessarily removes a property from the market.

“Don’t those properties just sell to other people who can try to make a go or can make a go?” Spike said. “You need to have some protections for tenants and renters since housing has become so unaffordable.”

Jake pointed to rental contracts as an existing source of obligations for both parties.

“The contracts say there are certain things that you have to do, and then they say that there are certain things that the landlord is responsible for,” Jake said. “And if either one of you breaks that contract, there are repercussions for that.”

Enforcement and rental costs remain the dividing line

The measure would provide city and private enforcement of tenant safety and protection laws, according to its ballot title.

“There are unscrupulous landlords who don’t maintain property,” Spike said. “I’m not saying that there aren’t code protections. Part of this initiative in Tacoma is to make sure that codes are met and adhered to for renters, for safety.”

Jake argued that expanding rights could have unintended consequences for the availability of rentals.

“It might give them so many rights that they no longer have a place to rent,” Jake said. “Because the landlord now is saying, ‘Hey, why would I rent if I can’t make any money at this?’”

“I wholeheartedly agree with you on that one,” Spike responded. “Sometimes they go way, way, way too far. Not always.”

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3