Seattle considers ‘Do Not Solicit List’ to block predatory real estate activity and slow displacement

Representatives from the Black Legacy Homeowners group are expected to be part of a panel discussion as part of Monday’s session

The Seattle City Council is considering protections hoped to help shield homeowners from predatory home-buying practices that target communities of color and vulnerable populations in an effort to slow displacement and erosion of generational wealth.

A proposed ordinance part of the Housing, Arts, and Civil Rights Committee’s Monday session would establish a new unfair housing practice in the city to protect homeowners from unwanted, unsolicited offers to purchase their residential properties. Administered by the Office of Civil Rights, the legislation would create a citywide “Do Not Solicit List” to safeguard resident privacy, prevent predatory real estate practices, and help slow the displacement of vulnerable communities.

According to the council’s analysis, homeowners across Seattle have reported excessive, unwanted solicitations to sell their homes. These unsolicited offers can result in owners selling below market value.

In 2023, CHS reported on the Black Legacy Homeowners effort formed to celebrate and protect Black home ownership in the Central District from gentrification and predatory development.

The newly proposed ordinance would make the aggressive real estate practices illegal by establishing the restrictions on solicitation.

Officials say the protections are even more important now. The city expects updates to the Comprehensive Plan allowing more “middle housing” types in areas formerly zoned exclusively for single-family homes, to also bring an increase in unsolicited, potentially predatory real estate activity citywide.

The Seattle proposal is modeled after similar frameworks in New York State and in Philadelphia. Unlike New York’s neighborhood-specific zones, Seattle will follow Philadelphia’s model of a permanent, citywide registry.

Violation of the rules would bring a $1,000 fine enforced by the Office of Civil Rights growing to $2,000 for each subsequent violation in a 12-month period.

Officials say the program will cost around $370,000 a year to implement with a planned launch date in June 2027.

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