BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – So-called “junk fees” will soon be a thing of the past for renters in Bellingham.

Bellingham City Council voted unanimously on Monday night to approve two ordinances that will prohibit landlords from charging tenants and mobile home residents extra fees deemed “unfair or excessive.”

Those illegal charges will include fees for using in-unit appliances, access to common areas, payment processing, mail collection and adding or removing a tenant at the end of a lease.

For mobile homes specifically, it prevents any added charges for vehicle parking and pets.

The ordinances also direct landlords to disclose any additional fees a rental listing may have before the lease is signed.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, more than 20,000 Bellingham renters are cost burdened.

The council’s vote comes after months of meetings and a public feedback period to fine-tune the ordinances.

They’ll both take effect on Aug. 1 for any new leases and lease renewals.