Rental Rules

IHCA Rules: Use Rules and Restrictions — Leasing of Units

“Leasing” is defined as the regular, exclusive occupancy of a unit by any person other than the owner, of which the owner receives a fee, service, gratuity or payment.

The IHCA Board of Directors require a minimum lease term of six months. Notice of any lease, including tenant contact information, must be given to the IHCA offices by the unit owner within 10 days upon execution of the lease. Failure to do so will result in the non-compliance process and enforcement.

The owner is responsible for notifying any renters of the community’s Declaration, Bylaws, Community Wide Standards and Use Restrictions and Restrictions, which are available at issaquahhighlands.com website or by contacting the IHCA office.

Facts:

1. No short-term leasing allowed. Written leases of no less than 6 months required.
2. No Airbnb type activity is allowed.
3. No boarding homes or single room rentals allowed.
4. Owners are required to register their tenants and, if applicable, management company contact information within 10 days upon execution of lease to IHCA. Failure to do so will result in the non-compliance process and enforcement.
5. Owners are responsible for the condition of their property, even if it’s a rental.
6. Owner and management companies are required to provide a copy of all governing documents, rules and policies.
7. By law, property owners are the sole responsible party for ongoing property and yard maintenance, ARC approval, general compliance and payment of assessments.
8. NEW! In accordance with a new Washington State Law, background checks for renters are mandatory for any rental property leases in Issaquah Highlands, effective July 2023.
   • HB 1101 Tenant Screening: Except as otherwise prohibited by law, HB 1101 stipulates that an association of unit owners in a common interest community may require:
     • Use of a tenant screening service or obtain background information on a prospective tenant, at the owner’s sole cost and expense, prior to entering into a lease agreement.
     • Proof to the association that the unit owner has used a tenant screening service or obtained background information pertaining to a tenant.

An association MAY NOT require a unit owner to provide a copy of the screening report or any background information pertaining to the tenant.

These provisions apply to associations subject to the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act, the Homeowners’ Association Act, the Washington Condominium Act, and the Horizontal Property Regimes Act.