Government

RENTAL HOUSING HOURS

Phone, email, and virtual appointment assistance hours

Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.

In-person assistance hours

Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.

Permit Center Address

6300 Southcenter Blvd., #100
Tukwila, WA 98188

CONTACT US

✉️ RentalHousing@TukwilaWA.gov

☏ (206) 431-3674

Fax: (206) 431-3665

Virtual Appointments

For in-depth service with a City division schedule a Microsoft Teams meeting.

WELCOME TO THE CITY OF TUKWILA
RENTAL HOUSING PROGRAM


The Rental Housing Program is open via
phone, email, and virtual appointment
Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

In-person assistance hours are
Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

To meet with staff virtually, please schedule a virtual Teams appointment (please note, this is not for an inspection).
You may also email RentalHousing@TukwilaWA.gov or call (206) 431-3674.

Renters:

All rental units in Tukwila are required to be licensed and inspected.   To check the status of your rental unit or unit that you are interested in renting, please contact the Rental Housing Program at RentalHousing@TukwilaWA.gov or 206-431-3674.

 

Owners and Property Managers:

Licensing Your Rental Property

In order to ensure safe and healthy housing for tenants, Tukwila requires all owners of residential rental property to obtain an annual Rental Business License and an inspection of every unit prior to renting, as well as, once every four years. This applies to large multi-family developments all the way down to single-family houses, condominiums and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU or “mother-in-law” apartments) which are rented to tenants. This applies to short term and long term rentals, however, short term rentals are not allowed in multi-family dwellings such as apartments, condominiums and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU or “mother-in-law” apartments). All Rental Business Licenses expire on December 31st each year, and must be renewed annually by January 31. Late fees begin accruing on March 1 at a rate of $10 per month until the license is renewed.

To apply for a Rental Business License please click here. You will be taken to our Community Engagement Portal. You will need to create a new user profile and then you will be able to apply for a rental license. See our Quick Tips panel for instructions. Please contact the Rental Housing Program with any questions. You can reach us either by email at RentalHousing@TukwilaWA.gov or by phone at 206-431-3674.

Tenants may contact the City to determine if the rental property they are occupying is properly registered and up to date on inspections.

For questions, comments or concerns, please contact the Rental Housing Program by email at RentalHousing@TukwilaWA.gov or by phone at 206-431-3674.

2024 Rental Business License Fees:
  • $84 for properties with up to 4 units
  • $218 for properties with 5 to 20 units
  • $273 for properties with 21 to 50 units
  • $340 for properties with 51 or more units
*Late fees apply.

Rental Unit Inspections

A rental inspection of each rental unit is required prior to initial tenant occupancy and once every four years thereafter. The inspection year is assigned at the time of registration and is based on geographic location.

Rental properties located in ZONE 4 will be due for an inspection by September 30th, 2024.  

*Late fees apply.

The purpose of the inspections is to ensure that all rental units are safe, healthy and suitable for occupancy. The inspectors check for properly working door locks, functional appliances, windows that are intact and that open, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, adequate emergency escape routes, and other items. Click HERE for a copy of the inspection checklist used for these inspections.

Rental inspections may be performed by a city inspector (for properties with 12 or less units) or a private inspector meeting certain qualifications and pre-approved by the City.

The rental inspection fee for a city inspector is currently $79 per unit up to 4 units, then each additional unit, up to 12 is $37 per unit. For properties with 13 or more units, please contact a private inspector.

To schedule a city inspector, contact us at RentalHousing@TukwilaWA.gov or 206-431-3674.

A private inspector must have at least one of the following credentials:

  • Washington State Licensed Architect
  • Washington State License Home Inspector
  • Certified AACE Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector
  • Certified ICC Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector
  • Certified ICC Residential Building Code Inspector

A list of approved private inspectors can be found HERE.   If you wish to hire a private inspector NOT on this list, contact RentalHousing@TukwilaWA.gov or 206-431-3674 to obtain approval BEFORE the inspections are conducted.

Units that are occupied by a Section 8 tenant are exempt from the City inspection requirements, however the owner must submit documentation regarding current Section 8 occupancy. Section 8 unit owners must still obtain an annual Rental Business License.

 

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Effective 2017 all multi-family rental properties with 2 or more units are required to provide documentation of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program by completing the IPM Documentation Worksheet.
For more information on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) check out this IPM Guide for Affordable Housing and watch the IPM videos on this page.

For additional IPM Resources click here.

For more information, please call 206-431-3674 or via email to RentalHousing@TukwilaWA.gov.

Quick Tips!

NEED HELP RENEWING YOUR RENTAL LICENSE ONLINE?

Click here

NEED HELP WITH OTHER ONLINE SERVICES?

Please email RentalHousing@TukwilaWA.gov

COURTESY RENTAL INSPECTIONS

Did you know that you can request a City Inspector to inspect your rental property if you have concerns about your living conditions? To request a courtesy rental inspection, please contact the Rental Housing Program at RentalHousing@TukwilaWA.gov

INPUT NEEDED!!

The City Council is considering an ordinance that would strengthen protections for renters in the City of Tukwila and would like to hear feedback from the community.
View more information here.
Additional Resources

Volunteer Legal Services

Tenants Union

Know Your Rights

Ten Things You Should Know about Mold

Infographic: 8 Tips to Cleanup Mold

 

Informacian Disponible en Espanol

Conocer sus derechos

Mejores prácticas y consejos para inquilinos

Diez cosas que debe saber acerca del moho

Infográfico: 8 consejos para eliminar el moho

 

Macluumaadka laga heli karo Soomaliga

Hab-Dhaqanka Wanaagsan iyo Maclumaadka ay u Baahanyahiin Kireystayaasha

Fahamida sharciyada Mulkiilaha iyo Kireystaha

Garo xuquuqahaaga

 

IPM VIDEOS

Managing Pests In Multifamily Housing

StopPests’ IPM Coordinator Training