Washington Court Lets GRE Pursue $39 Million Seattle Takings Suit Over 254-Unit Rental Rules
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Nov 1
Washington Court Lets GRE Pursue $39 Million Seattle Takings Suit Over 254-Unit Rental Rules
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 1
Summary
A Washington appeals court ruled GRE Downtowner LLC can move forward with claims that Seattle rental ordinances amounted to an unconstitutional taking of its affordable-housing property.
GRE says the rules helped drive rent collections at the 254-unit Addison on Fourth from 93.9% in 2018 to 44.1% in 2023, producing nearly $5.8 million in operating losses.
Those ordinances restricted criminal-background screening, expanded tenants' ability to add occupants, limited some evictions and required relocation aid after certain rent increases; the property entered receivership after a January 2026 mortgage default.
Seattle's law office said it is reviewing the ruling and has not decided whether to appeal, while legal scholars said the case could influence similar landlord challenges in cities including Philadelphia, Portland and New York.