Updated Documents on Tacoma Landlord Resources Webpage

In recent developments, housing providers in Tacoma face another communication breakdown with the City over changes to required tenant resources. Specifically, the City modified the title of a notice that housing providers must include with a Notice to Pay or Vacate. This seemingly minor adjustment, uncommunicated to housing providers, has sparked significant challenges, culminating in the Housing Justice Project (HJP) Right to Counsel requesting dismissals in court due to housing providers unknowingly using outdated documents.

The lack of notification from the City regarding these updates has left housing providers at a disadvantage. When I, Jim Henderson of LandlordSolutions, reached out for clarification, the City initially denied any updates had been made. Upon further examination and after providing evidence of the discrepancies between the notices, I contacted City Manager Elizabeth Pauli. Although she confirmed that changes had indeed occurred, the updated document regrettably lacked a revision date, a critical detail that ensures clarity and compliance for housing providers.

This incident underscores the recurring communication gap between the City’s Landlord-Tenant Coordinator and Tacoma's housing providers. The absence of timely updates and the failure to circulate crucial information erode the trust necessary for effective collaboration. Even when minor updates are made, such as a title change, the City should proactively inform all rental business license holders—not just those who opt into updates—especially when these changes can impact court proceedings and the legal standing of housing providers.

Moving forward, it is imperative that the City commits to more transparent communication practices. If a change to required resources is made, an immediate notification should be sent to all rental license holders, including clear revision dates on all documents. I hope to continue working towards a relationship built on trust and transparency with the City. Until then, the City must acknowledge the communication gaps and ensure housing providers are never blindsided by undisclosed updates that can jeopardize their legal standing.

• Tacoma Landlord Resources