BELLINGHAM, WA – (MyBellinghamNow.com) – New protections for renters in Bellingham will take effect on August 1.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that the city council approved two ordinances in June that will prohibit landlords from charging 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.

The new rules will apply to both tenants and mobile home residents.

For mobile homes specifically, it prevents landlords from adding charges for vehicle parking and pets.

Both ordinances will now be required for any new leases and lease renewals.