I want to start out by offering a big thank you to our past president Judy.  I want you all to know that WAA has been blessed to have Judy at the helm and with her guidance I will do my best to fill those big shoes.

We have some challenges going forward.  This year’s legislative session has seen a plethora of attempts to limit the landlord’s ability to get the public records and public information that is vital to making and informed decision on whether or not to rent to an individual.  These attempts have been very short sighted in their failure to see the damage their success would do to our important industry and we have been fighting them with a full head of steam.  At the same time there are multiple bills that would make landlords more accountable for their tenant’s actions despite wanting to emaciate the landlord’s ability to screen.  Further, with the budgetary nightmare the state is facing, WAA is fighting to stop or minimize any attempts to gain new revenue for the state on the backs of owners of rentals.  Despite good success this session, these issues will not go away so I urge everyone to stay involved, keep informed, participate and support the Political Action Committee.

We have some goals this year.  The board has decided that it is time for WAA to explore some ideas directed at reaching people that do not have a local organization of landlords.  That may bring a need for some creative marketing and we invite ideas.  We also hope to help our local members to put membership drives together and hope to strengthen the participation in our member groups.

In closing I would simply say that the economy and political environment make it appealing to want to pull in when we need to reach out.  Our industry is an important one and as a group we are far better situated to protect it and our own common interests.  I look forward to working with you all and wish you all the best.

Best regards

Rob W. Trickler, WAA President

Attorney and Counselor at Law

SB 6341, carpet stewardship program, was voted out of the Senate Environment Committee – but failed to get a hearing and Executive Session in the Senate Ways & Means Committee as of the cutoff for bills to be out of the House Fiscal Committee yesterday, Tuesday, February 7. There may be efforts to amend this bill, or portions of this bill, in other legislation, but for now the bill is dead.

We are told from Real-Estate industry sources that up to $2.50 per recycling cost per yard would create a significant impact to the real-estate industry. Depending on the geographic area, in the rental residential real-estate industry the vacancy rates are up to 8 or 9% and in the commercial office building industry they are significantly higher and therefore this legislation would be a genuine hardship. Legislatures realize that added costs in the real-estate industry, that is lagging behind and at times where leases and rents are being renegotiated downwards, this was not a time to allow this legislation to pass forward.

We thank those that have called their lawmakers in the Washington State Senate to ask that this bills not be allowed to come up for a vote in the Senate Ways & Means Committee – your voice was heard.

Many thanks.

Mark Gjurasic

Public Affairs of Washington, LLC

mgjurasic@comcast.net

(360) 481-6000

Attached is a new bill (HB 2564), which deals with sealing of certain unlawful detainers and protection order records.

2564.pdf

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to meet face to face with elected officials. You can make individual appointments with your legislators, or you can meet with legislators as part of a group of other SCAOA members and other local housing association members.

Please Be Advised:  No Olympia Parking Available at 1500 Water Street

Dear WAA Members:  Due to a new landlord policy, with a new “family property management team,” they have implemented a policy that if you do not live in the building you cannot utilize the parking of the building at 1500 Water
Street SW, Olympia, WA (which has been the usual parking space available to you).

We obviously regret that we can no longer park at the site and it seems that the local neighborhoods are curtailing parking for those that are not all year round residence.

Your best option is the visitors parking, which is on the corner of Capital and 15^th Avenue SW.  Attached is also a campus map, detailing visitors parking.

Many thanks.

Mark Gjurasic
Public Affairs of Washington, LLC
mgjurasic@comcast.net
(360) 481-6000

Nicole Birge wrote:

Good Afternoon,
WMFHA is proud to host our next WRHIC meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 17th from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. The meeting will be at Holiday Inn – Renton located at 1 South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98055
The meeting cost is $25/pp and parking is FREE!
Please let me know if there are any items you would like to see on our meeting agenda. We hope to have a copy out to everyone (with supplementals) by week’s end.
To register and pay online (easiest way) click here or please reply letting me know if you’d like to attend and pay at the door. Feel free to forward this information to anyone you feel should be in attendance.
We look forward to seeing you next week and your continued participation in WRHIC!

Nicole Birge
Executive Director
Washington Multi-Family Housing Association
425.656.9077 office
425.656.9087 fax
www.wmfha.org
**************************************

Topics:

The Future Economic Climate
10 Most Common Landlord Mistakes
Tenant Screening
Investing in Tax Sheltered Retirement
Real Estate Investments
Growing Your Investments
Upcoming Legislative Session
Eviction Basics & Recovery of Your Property
What is WAA & Future Outlook

Ten Guest Speakers!!

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (includes Lunch)

$75 ($45 to members) Seating is limited!

Pre-Pay by Credit Card or Check

Call 425-353-6929

Holiday Inn Express, 8606 36th Ave NE, Marysville (360) 530-1234
Rooms for $119/+tax (King or 2 Queens) Mention “GRO”

Breakfast included with Room Rate
$5 for Attendees at 7 – 9 a.m.

I’m inviting you to a fundraising  lunch for Sen. Jeff Baxter (R) who represents the 4^th  District in Spokane.

Sen. Baxter is being  supported by our industry and we urge that  if you are in the Spokane area or anywhere else to join us on:

Thursday, October 20  at 12:00 p.m.

Ramada Spokane/Airport

8909 W Airport Dr., Spokane, WA 99224

Luncheon orders will be selected off the menu and you will pay at the event.

He is a member of the  following Committees:

• Senate Ways & Means Committee,
• Judiciary Committee &
• Human Services & Corrections Committee

Anyone of these committees  has a direct or indirect impact on our industry.

We are also issuing  invitations to all Republican State Senators and House Members in the Spokane  area to join us at this event as each guest will have an opportunity to talk  about their industry especially with the November 28^th 30 day  special session, which will take into consideration a $1.4 billion dollar  revenue shortfall and the possibilities of raising taxes through a referendum  ballot that will likely go to the vote of the people in February 2012.

Any size donation is appreciated but not necessary to attend the event.

Please RSVP to me at mgjurasic@comcast.net
and let me know who will be coming.

Many thanks.

Mark Gjurasic

Public Affairs of
Washington, LLC

mgjurasic@comcast.net

(360) 481-6000

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2011

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS

8606 36^TH Ave NE, Marysville

Friday Evening – Social Gathering (Event TBD)

Saturday Board Meeting at 8:00 a.m.

Open Invitation to WAA Association Members

Meeting held simultaneously with the SCAOA Super Saturday Seminar

Staying Overnight?  For Hotel Reservations Call The Holiday Express (360) 530-1234

(Promotion Code:  GRO as in “Grow Your Business”)

Special King Bed Rate $119, plus tax

Saturday Morning Breakfast only $5

Saturday Lunch Buffet $10 (noon) RSVP Please

Please contact Robert Mize (425) 327-5835 or Bryan Mize (206) 327-5835 or

Judith Violette.  If you haven’t already confirmed your attendance, please let us by
phone or email.