The City of Seattle’s relatively recent Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance (Seattle Municipal Code (“SMC”) 22.214) requires most landlords that provide rental housing to be registered with the City of Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development between 2014 and 2016,…
Read MoreIf you have a business in Seattle, you might have to change how you do background checks. The Seattle City Council passed a new ordinance restricting criminal background checks on applicants for employment. Employers will no longer be able to…
Read MoreOn May 21, 2013, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law an act that generally prohibits an employer from requiring an employee or applicant to disclose information related to their social media account. If an employer violates the act, an employee…
Read MoreThe City of Seattle has published a new Frequently Asked Questions document (FAQ) concerning its Paid Sick Time and Safe Time Ordinance (the Ordinance). The Ordinance requires employers to provide paid sick/safe time (PSST) to their employees who work within Seattle…
Read MoreA Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is a corporation, trust, or association that combines the capital of investors to own and many times operate income-producing real estate (e.g., apartments). Generally, to be considered a REIT, the REIT must pay at least…
Read MoreMany leases contain provisions allowing for the tenant to renew the lease. The material terms during the optional renewal period must be specified sufficiently so as not to be considered vague. Thus, if a renewal option leaves all the terms…
Read MoreOn March 26, 2013, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a new Special Fraud Alert regarding physician-owned entities. Physician ownership or investment in entities that derive revenue from selling or arranging for the sale of medical devices, supplies or…
Read MoreEmployee bonus programs are a great way to incentivize work performance and improve job satisfaction. But employers planning to implement a bonus program should bear in mind the legal implications of doing so and seek advice from an experienced employment…
Read MoreLike most states, Washington has adopted the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act or UEFJA. The UEFJA permits a person or entity to enforce a judgment against a person or property located in Washington based on a judgement issued in…
Read MoreAs 2013 begins, it is a good idea to be sure that your business practices are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. There is nothing like preventative care. Discovering noncompliance too late and dealing with the process of fixing…
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