Stop Celebrating Seattle’s Junk Fee Ban. It’s a Trap.
Seattle’s ban on rental junk fees feels like a massive win for tenants, but it’s a masterclass in political sleight of hand. By banning pet rent and administrative fees, the city hasn’t lowered the cost of housing—it’s simply forced non-pet owners to subsidize pet damage and given landlords a reason to hike base rents. Banning a fee doesn’t ban the cost.