Overview Washington State’s slew of recent housing legislation has fundamentally changed how residential property may be developed in cities like Bellingham. In an effort to address housing shortages and affordability, the Legislature has required cities to allow increased residential density in areas that were historically limited to single‑family homes. While these changes create real opportunities…

In 2024, Washington quietly made a significant change to its real estate laws that benefits both landlords and tenants: leases longer than one year no longer need to be notarized to be legally enforceable. The change removes a long‑standing technical requirement that often caused confusion, and sometimes unfair outcomes, without providing much real protection. Here’s…

Let’s say you own a large yard, and you have a shed in the back. You have plenty of room in the shed, so like the friendly, courteous neighbor you are, you decide to allow your neighbor to store his lawnmower there. Well, a decade goes by and your neighbor uses the shed for storage…

Codified in Chapter 64.90 RCW, the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA) establishes comprehensive rules for common interest communities—including condominiums, planned communities, and cooperatives—formed on or after its effective date of July 1, 2018. While full compliance for previously established community associations was originally required by January 1, 2028, the passage of Senate Bill…

In 2023, Washington State adopted the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act (UPHPA), codified in Chapter 7.54 RCW, to address long-standing issues surrounding inherited property held by multiple family members. This law aims to protect property co-owned by family members from a forced sale if one, but not all, of the family members wants to…

All rental property owners in the City of Bellingham should be aware of new city ordinance that took effect as of January 1, 2025. Per Bellingham Municipal Code 6.15.050(B)(14): 14. All residential housing units subject to registration under this chapter shall include secure, locking mail receptacles for each individual housing unit: a. All newly constructed residential housing…

If (1) you own property in Washington burdened by an easement, (2) you wish that easement was located somewhere else on your property, and (3) you have been unable to reach an agreement with the easement owner, a recently-adopted Washington law may provide a path forward. What is the Uniform Easement Relocation Act (UERA)? In…

Does your neighbor have a pesky tree that is growing on to your property? Do you wish you could just chop it down and get rid of it? In Washington, to avoid liability for timber trespass, you will want to think carefully before acting. The law differs depending on where the tree is located. Start…

Property encroachments, defined as an intrusion onto someone else’s real property, happen often. The fence you thought divided your property from your neighbor’s is actually a few feet off from the true property line. Maybe your gravel driveway has migrated over the years and now is partially in your neighbor’s front yard. And nothing quite…

On March 13, 2023, the Bellingham City Council approved Ordinance No. 2023-03-007, which requires landlords to provide tenants of rental units in Bellingham a minimum of 120 days’ prior written notice ahead of ANY increase in rent or other periodic housing costs. The requirements of this new ordinance took effect on March 28, 2023, and…