Title 59 — Title 59 LANDLORD AND TENANT
11 chapters · 249 sections in this title.
RCW 59.18.350 Arbitration—Completion of arbitration after giving notice.
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When a party gives notice pursuant to RCW 59.18.320(2), he or she must, at the same time, arrange for arbitration of the grievance in the manner provided for in this chapter. The arbitration shall be completed before the rental due date next occurring after the giving of notice p…
RCW 59.18.352 Threatening behavior by tenant—Termination of agreement—Written notice—Financial obligations.
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If a tenant notifies the landlord that he or she, or another tenant who shares that particular dwelling unit has been threatened by another tenant, and:(1) The threat was made with a firearm or other deadly weapon as defined in RCW 9A.04.110; and(2) The tenant who made the threat…
RCW 59.18.354 Threatening behavior by landlord—Termination of agreement—Financial obligations.
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If a tenant is threatened by the landlord with a firearm or other deadly weapon as defined in RCW 9A.04.110, and the threat leads to an arrest of the landlord, then the tenant may terminate the rental agreement and quit the premises without further obligation under the rental agr…
RCW 59.18.360 Exemptions.
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A landlord and tenant may agree, in writing, to exempt themselves from the provisions of RCW 59.18.060, 59.18.100, 59.18.110, 59.18.120, 59.18.130, and 59.18.190 if the following conditions have been met:(1) The agreement may not appear in a standard form lease or rental agreemen…
RCW 59.18.363 Unlawful detainer action—Distressed home, previously.
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In an unlawful detainer action involving property that was a distressed home:(1) The plaintiff shall disclose to the court whether the defendant previously held title to the property that was a distressed home, and explain how the plaintiff came to acquire title;(2) A defendant w…
RCW 59.18.365 Unlawful detainer action—Summons—Form.
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(1) The summons must contain the names of the parties to the proceeding, the attorney or attorneys if any, the court in which the same is brought, the nature of the action, in concise terms, and the relief sought, and also the return day; and must notify the defendant to appear a…
RCW 59.18.367 Unlawful detainer action—Limited dissemination authorized, when.
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(1) A court may order an unlawful detainer action to be of limited dissemination for one or more persons if: (a) The court finds that the plaintiff's case was sufficiently without basis in fact or law; (b) the tenancy was reinstated under RCW 59.18.410 or other law; or (c) other …
RCW 59.18.368 Unlawful detainer action—Residential tenancies.
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(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, in each county the superior court may appoint the following persons to assist the superior court in disposing of its business related to unlawful detainer actions for residential tenancies covered by this chapter and chapt…
RCW 59.18.369 Unlawful detainer action—Housing court commissioner duties.
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(1) By majority vote, the judges of the superior court of the county may authorize housing court commissioners appointed pursuant to RCW 59.18.368 to perform any and all of the following duties in an unlawful detainer action under this chapter:(a) Receive all applications, petiti…
RCW 59.18.370 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions—Writ of restitution—Application—Order—Hearing.
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The plaintiff, at the time of commencing an action of forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer, or at any time afterwards, upon filing the complaint, may apply to the superior court in which the action is pending for an order directing the defendant to appear and show caus…
RCW 59.18.380 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions—Writ of restitution—Answer—Order—Stay—Bond.
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At the time and place fixed for the hearing of plaintiff's motion for a writ of restitution, the defendant, or any person in possession or claiming possession of the property, may answer, orally or in writing, and assert any legal or equitable defense or set-off arising out of th…
RCW 59.18.390 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions—Writ of restitution—Service—Tenant's bond—Notice.
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(1) The sheriff shall, upon receiving the writ of restitution, forthwith serve a copy thereof upon the tenant, his or her agent, or attorney, or a person in possession of the premises, and shall not execute the same for three days thereafter. After the issuance of a writ of resti…
RCW 59.18.400 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions—Writ of restitution—Answer of defendant.
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On or before the day fixed for his appearance the defendant may appear and answer. The defendant in his answer may assert any legal or equitable defense or set-off arising out of the tenancy. If the complaint alleges that the tenancy should be terminated because the defendant ten…
RCW 59.18.410 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions—Notice of default—Writ of restitution—Judgment—Execution.
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(1) If at trial the verdict of the jury or, if the case is tried without a jury, the finding of the court is in favor of the landlord and against the tenant, judgment shall be entered for the restitution of the premises; and if the proceeding is for unlawful detainer after neglec…
RCW 59.18.412 Forcible or unlawful detainer proceeding.
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In any forcible or unlawful detainer proceeding before the court:(1) Hearings may be conducted in person or remotely in order to enhance access for all parties. At the court's discretion, parties, witnesses, and others authorized by this chapter to participate in forcible or unla…
RCW 59.18.415 Applicability to certain single-family dwelling leases.
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The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any lease of a single-family dwelling for a period of a year or more or to any lease of a single-family dwelling containing a bona fide option to purchase by the tenant: PROVIDED, That an attorney for the tenant must approve on th…
RCW 59.18.420 RCW 59.12.090, 59.12.100, 59.12.121, and 59.12.170 inapplicable.
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The provisions of RCW 59.12.090, 59.12.100, 59.12.121, and 59.12.170 shall not apply to any rental agreement included under the provisions of chapter 59.18 RCW.[ 1973 1st ex.s. c 207 s 44.]
RCW 59.18.430 Applicability to prior, existing or future leases.
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RCW 59.18.010 through 59.18.360 and 59.18.900 shall not apply to any lease entered into prior to July 16, 1973. All provisions of this chapter shall apply to any lease or periodic tenancy entered into on or subsequent to July 16, 1973.[ 1973 1st ex.s. c 207 s 47.]
RCW 59.18.435 Applicability to proprietary leases.
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This chapter does not apply to any proprietary lease as defined in RCW 64.90.010:(1) Created after July 1, 2018; or(2) If the lessor has amended its governing documents to provide that chapter 64.90 RCW will apply to the common interest community pursuant to *RCW 64.90.095.[ 2018…
RCW 59.18.440 Relocation assistance for low-income tenants—Certain cities, towns, counties, municipal corporations authorized to require.
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(1) Any city, town, county, or municipal corporation that is required to develop a comprehensive plan under RCW 36.70A.040(1) is authorized to require, after reasonable notice to the public and a public hearing, property owners to provide their portion of reasonable relocation as…
RCW 59.18.450 Relocation assistance for low-income tenants—Payments not considered income—Eligibility for other assistance not affected.
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Relocation assistance payments received by tenants under *RCW 59.18.440 shall not be considered as income or otherwise affect the eligibility for or amount of assistance paid under any government benefit program.[ 1990 1st ex.s. c 17 s 50.]Notes:*Reviser's note: The reference in …
RCW 59.18.500 Gang-related activity—Legislative findings, declarations, and intent.
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The legislature finds and declares that the ability to feel safe and secure in one's own home and in one's own community is of primary importance. The legislature recognizes that certain gang-related activity can affect the safety of a considerable number of people in the rental …
RCW 59.18.510 Gang-related activity—Notice and demand the landlord commence unlawful detainer action—Petition to court—Attorneys' fees.
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(1)(a) Any person whose life, safety, health, or use of property is being injured or endangered by a tenant's gang-related activity, who has legal standing and resides, works in, or owns property in the same multifamily building, apartment complex, or within a one-block radius ma…
RCW 59.18.550 Drug and alcohol free housing—Program of recovery—Terms—Application of chapter.
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(1) For the purpose of this section, "drug and alcohol free housing" requires a rental agreement and means a dwelling in which:(a) Each of the dwelling units on the premises is occupied or held for occupancy by at least one tenant who is a recovering alcoholic or drug addict and …
RCW 59.18.570 Victim protection—Definitions.
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The definitions in this section apply throughout this section and RCW 59.18.575 through 59.18.585 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Credit reporting agency" has the same meaning as set forth in RCW 19.182.010(5).(2) "Domestic violence" has the same meaning as set…
RCW 59.18.575 Victim protection—Notice to landlord—Termination of rental agreement—Procedures.
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(1)(a) If a tenant notifies the landlord in writing that he or she or a household member was a victim of an act that constitutes a crime of domestic violence, sexual assault, unlawful harassment, or stalking, and either (a)(i) or (ii) of this subsection applies, then subsection (…
RCW 59.18.580 Victim protection—Limitation on tenant screening service provider disclosures and landlord's rental decisions.
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(1) A tenant screening service provider may not (a) disclose a tenant's, applicant's, or household member's status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or (b) knowingly disclose that a tenant, applicant, or household member has previously terminated a re…
RCW 59.18.585 Victim protection—Possession of dwelling unit—Exclusion of others—New lock or key.
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(1) A tenant who has obtained a court order from a court of competent jurisdiction granting him or her possession of a dwelling unit to the exclusion of one or more cotenants may request that a lock be replaced or configured for a new key at the tenant's expense. The landlord sha…
RCW 59.18.590 Death of a tenant—Designated person.
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(1)(a) At a landlord's request, the tenant may designate a person to act for the tenant on the tenant's death when the tenant is the sole occupant of the dwelling unit.(b) Any designation must be in writing, be separate from the rental agreement, and include:(i) The designated pe…
RCW 59.18.595 Death of a tenant—Landlord duties—Disposition of property procedures—Liability.
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(1) In the event of the death of a tenant who is the sole occupant of the dwelling unit:(a) The landlord, upon learning of the death of the tenant, shall promptly mail or personally deliver written notice to any known personal representative, known designated person, emergency co…
RCW 59.18.610 Installments—Deposits, nonrefundable fees, and last month's rent—Statutory penalty.
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(1)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, upon receipt of a tenant's written request, a landlord must permit the tenant to pay any deposits, nonrefundable fees, and last month's rent in installments.(b) A landlord is not required to permit a tenant to pay in installmen…
RCW 59.18.620 Definitions applicable to RCW 59.18.625 and 59.18.630.
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The definitions in this section apply to RCW 59.18.625 and 59.18.630 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Dwelling unit" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 59.18.030, and includes a manufactured/mobile home or a mobile home lot as defined in RCW 59.20.030.(2) "E…
RCW 59.18.625 Definitions applicable to RCW 59.18.625 and 59.18.630.
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(1) A landlord may not charge or impose any late fees or other charges against any tenant for the nonpayment of rent that became due between March 1, 2020, and six months following the expiration of the eviction moratorium.(2) For rent that accrued between March 1, 2020, and the …
RCW 59.18.630 Definitions applicable to RCW 59.18.625 and 59.18.630.
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(1) The eviction moratorium instituted by the governor of the state of Washington's proclamation 20-19.6 shall end on June 30, 2021.(2) If a tenant has remaining unpaid rent that accrued between March 1, 2020, and six months following the expiration of the eviction moratorium or …
RCW 59.18.640 Indigent tenants.
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(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the court must appoint an attorney for an indigent tenant in an unlawful detainer proceeding under this chapter and chapters 59.12 and 59.20 RCW. The office of civil legal aid is responsible for im…
RCW 59.18.650 Eviction of tenant, refusal to continue tenancy, end of periodic tenancy—Cause—Notice—Penalties.
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(1)(a) A landlord may not evict a tenant, refuse to continue a tenancy, or end a periodic tenancy except for the causes enumerated in subsection (2) of this section and as otherwise provided in this subsection.(b) If a landlord and tenant enter into a rental agreement that provid…
RCW 59.18.670 Security deposit—Landlord waiver, disclosure form—Fee in lieu—Claims for losses—Judicial action, collection activity—Violation.
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(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a landlord chooses to waive a security deposit requirement, and a tenant agrees to instead pay a fee in lieu of a security deposit, the landlord shall:(a) Ensure that the fee in lieu of a security deposit is strictly optional for…
RCW 59.18.700 Landlord—Prohibition on certain rent increases—Notice—Enforcement—Penalties.
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(1)(a) Except as authorized by an exemption under RCW 59.18.710, a landlord may not increase the rent for any type of tenancy, regardless of whether the tenancy is month-to-month or for a term greater or lesser than month-to-month:(i) During the first 12 months after the tenancy …
RCW 59.18.710 Landlord—Prohibition on certain rent increases—Exemptions.
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(1) A landlord may increase rent in an amount greater than allowed under RCW 59.18.700 only as authorized by the exemptions described in this section. Rent increases are not limited by RCW 59.18.700 for any of the following types of tenancies:(a) A tenancy in a dwelling unit for …
RCW 59.18.720 Landlord—Notice of rent increases—Form.
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(1)(a) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a landlord must provide a tenant with notice of rent increases in a form that is substantially the same as the form provided in subsection (3) of this section.(b) Notice under this section must also:(i) Comply with the …
RCW 59.18.730 Online landlord resource center.
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The department of commerce shall create an online landlord resource center to distribute information to landlords about available programs, associated services, and resources including, but not limited to, the following:(1) The landlord mitigation program created in RCW 43.31.605…
RCW 59.18.900 Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 207.
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If any provision of this chapter, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or its application to other persons or circumstances, is not affected.[ 1973 1st ex.s. c 207 s 37.]
RCW 59.18.911 Effective date—1989 c 342.
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This act shall take effect on August 1, 1989, and shall apply to landlord-tenant relationships existing on or entered into after the effective date of this act.[ 1989 c 342 s 19.]
RCW 59.18.912 Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.
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For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to …