Title 59 — Title 59 LANDLORD AND TENANT
11 chapters · 249 sections in this title.
RCW 59.18.030 Definitions.
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*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5937-S.SL) ***As used in this chapter:(1) "Active duty" means service authorized by the president of the United States, the secretary of defense, or the governor for a period of more than 30 consecutive days.(2) "Certificate of inspection" means an uns…
RCW 59.18.040 Living arrangements exempted from chapter.
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The following living arrangements are not intended to be governed by the provisions of this chapter, unless established primarily to avoid its application, in which event the provisions of this chapter shall control:(1) Residence at an institution, whether public or private, wher…
RCW 59.18.050 Jurisdiction of district and superior courts.
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The district or superior courts of this state may exercise jurisdiction over any landlord or tenant with respect to any conduct in this state governed by this chapter or with respect to any claim arising from a transaction subject to this chapter within the respective jurisdictio…
RCW 59.18.055 Notice—Alternative procedure—Court's jurisdiction limited—Application to chapter 59.20 RCW.
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(1) When the landlord, after the exercise of due diligence, is unable to personally serve the summons on the tenant, the landlord may use the alternative means of service as follows:(a) The summons and complaint shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises unlawfully he…
RCW 59.18.057 Notice—Form.
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(1) Every 14-day notice served pursuant to RCW 59.12.030(3) must be in substantially the following form: "TO: AND TO: ADDRESS:FOURTEEN-DAY NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR VACATE THE PREMISESYou are receiving this notice because the landlord alleges you are not in compliance with the terms …
RCW 59.18.058 Notice—Translated versions—Legal or advocacy resource information.
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(1) The office of the attorney general shall produce and maintain on its website translated versions of the notice under RCW 59.18.057 in the top ten languages spoken in Washington state and, at the discretion of the office of the attorney general, other languages. The notice mus…
RCW 59.18.060 Landlord—Duties.
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*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6237-S.SL) ***The landlord will at all times during the tenancy keep the premises fit for human habitation, and shall in particular:(1) Maintain the premises to substantially comply with any applicable code, statute, ordinance, or regulation governing …
RCW 59.18.063 Landlord—Written receipts for payments made by tenant.
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(1) A landlord must accept a personal check, cashier's check, or money order for any payment of rent made by a tenant, except that a landlord is not required to accept a personal check from any tenant that has had a personal check written to the landlord or the landlord's agent t…
RCW 59.18.065 Landlord—Copy of written rental agreement to tenant.
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When there is a written rental agreement for the premises, the landlord shall provide an executed copy to each tenant who signs the rental agreement. The tenant may request one free replacement copy during the tenancy.[ 2011 c 132 s 6.]
RCW 59.18.070 Landlord—Failure to perform duties—Notice from tenant—Contents—Time limits for landlord's remedial action.
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If at any time during the tenancy the landlord fails to carry out the duties required by RCW 59.18.060 or by the rental agreement, the tenant may, in addition to pursuit of remedies otherwise provided him or her by law, deliver written notice to the person designated in *RCW 59.1…
RCW 59.18.075 Seizure of illegal drugs—Notification of landlord.
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(1) Any law enforcement agency which seizes a legend drug pursuant to a violation of chapter 69.41 RCW, a controlled substance pursuant to a violation of chapter 69.50 RCW, or an imitation controlled substance pursuant to a violation of chapter 69.52 RCW, shall make a reasonable …
RCW 59.18.080 Payment of rent condition to exercising remedies—Exceptions.
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The tenant shall be current in the payment of rent including all utilities which the tenant has agreed in the rental agreement to pay before exercising any of the remedies accorded him or her under the provisions of this chapter: PROVIDED, That this section shall not be construed…
RCW 59.18.085 Rental of condemned or unlawful dwelling—Tenant's remedies—Relocation assistance—Penalties.
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(1) If a governmental agency responsible for the enforcement of a building, housing, or other appropriate code has notified the landlord that a dwelling is condemned or unlawful to occupy due to the existence of conditions that violate applicable codes, statutes, ordinances, or r…
RCW 59.18.090 Landlord's failure to remedy defective condition—Tenant's choice of actions.
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If, after receipt of written notice, and expiration of the applicable period of time, as provided in RCW 59.18.070, the landlord fails to remedy the defective condition within a reasonable time the tenant may:(1) Terminate the rental agreement and quit the premises upon written n…
RCW 59.18.100 Landlord's failure to carry out duties—Repairs effected by tenant—Procedure—Deduction of cost from rent—Limitations.
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(1) If, at any time during the tenancy, the landlord fails to carry out any of the duties imposed by RCW 59.18.060, and notice of the defect is given to the landlord pursuant to RCW 59.18.070, the tenant may submit to the landlord or his or her designated agent by first-class mai…
RCW 59.18.110 Failure of landlord to carry out duties—Determination by court or arbitrator—Judgment against landlord for diminished rental value and repair costs—Enforcement of judgment—Reduction in rent under certain conditions.
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(1) If a court or an arbitrator determines that:(a) A landlord has failed to carry out a duty or duties imposed by RCW 59.18.060; and(b) A reasonable time has passed for the landlord to remedy the defective condition following notice to the landlord in accordance with RCW 59.18.0…
RCW 59.18.115 Substandard and dangerous conditions—Notice to landlord—Government certification—Escrow account.
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(1) The legislature finds that some tenants live in residences that are substandard and dangerous to their health and safety and that the repair and deduct remedies of RCW 59.18.100 may not be adequate to remedy substandard and dangerous conditions. Therefore, an extraordinary re…
RCW 59.18.120 Defective condition—Unfeasible to remedy defect—Termination of tenancy.
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If a court or arbitrator determines a defective condition as described in RCW 59.18.060 to be so substantial that it is unfeasible for the landlord to remedy the defect within the time allotted by RCW 59.18.070, and that the tenant should not remain in the dwelling unit in its de…
RCW 59.18.125 Inspections by local municipalities—Frequency—Number of rental properties inspected—Notice—Appeals—Penalties.
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(1) Local municipalities may require that landlords provide a certificate of inspection as a business license condition. A local municipality does not need to have a business license or registration program in order to require that landlords provide a certificate of inspection. A…
RCW 59.18.130 Duties of tenant.
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Each tenant shall pay the rental amount at such times and in such amounts as provided for in the rental agreement or as otherwise provided by law and comply with all obligations imposed upon tenants by applicable provisions of all municipal, county, and state codes, statutes, ord…
RCW 59.18.140 Reasonable obligations or restrictions—Tenant's duty to conform—Landlord's duty to provide written notice in increase of rent.
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(1) The tenant shall conform to all reasonable obligations or restrictions, whether denominated by the landlord as rules, rental agreement, rent, or otherwise, concerning the use, occupation, and maintenance of his or her dwelling unit, appurtenances thereto, and the property of …
RCW 59.18.150 Landlord's right of entry—Purposes—Searches by fire officials—Searches by code enforcement officials for inspection purposes—Conditions.
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(1) The tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, alterations, or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospectiv…
RCW 59.18.160 Landlord's remedies if tenant fails to remedy defective condition.
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If, after receipt of written notice, as provided in RCW 59.18.170, the tenant fails to remedy the defective condition within a reasonable time, the landlord may:(1) Bring an action in an appropriate court, or at arbitration if so agreed for any remedy provided under this chapter …
RCW 59.18.170 Landlord to give notice if tenant fails to carry out duties—Late fees.
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(1) If at any time during the tenancy the tenant fails to carry out the duties required by RCW 59.18.130 or 59.18.140, the landlord may, in addition to pursuit of remedies otherwise provided by law, give written notice to the tenant of said failure, which notice shall specify the…
RCW 59.18.180 Tenant's failure to comply with statutory duties—Landlord to give tenant written notice of noncompliance—Landlord's remedies.
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(1) If the tenant fails to comply with any portion of RCW 59.18.130 or 59.18.140, and such noncompliance can (a) substantially affect the health and safety of the tenant or other tenants, or substantially increase the hazards of fire or accident, and (b) be remedied by repair, re…
RCW 59.18.190 Notice to tenant to remedy nonconformance.
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Whenever the landlord learns of a breach of RCW 59.18.130 or has accepted performance by the tenant which is at variance with the terms of the rental agreement or rules enforceable after the commencement of the tenancy, he or she may immediately give notice to the tenant to remed…
RCW 59.18.200 Tenancy from month to month or for rental period—End of tenancy—Armed forces exception—Exclusion of children—Conversion to condominium—Demolition, substantial rehabilitation of the premises—Notice.
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(1)(a) When premises are rented for an indefinite time, with monthly or other periodic rent reserved, such tenancy shall be construed to be a tenancy from month to month, or from period to period on which rent is payable, and shall end by written notice of 20 days or more, preced…
RCW 59.18.210 Tenancies from year to year except under written contract.
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Tenancies from year to year are hereby abolished except when the same are created by express written contract. Leases may be in writing or print, or partly in writing and partly in print, and shall be legal and valid for any term or period not exceeding one year, without acknowle…
RCW 59.18.220 End of tenancy for a specified time—Armed forces exception.
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(1) Except as limited under RCW 59.18.650, in cases where premises are rented for a specified time, by express or implied contract, the tenancy shall be deemed expired at the end of such specified time upon notice consistent with RCW 59.18.650, served in a manner consistent with …
RCW 59.18.230 Waiver of chapter provisions prohibited—Provisions prohibited from rental agreement—Distress for rent abolished—Detention of personal property for rent—Remedies.
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(1)(a) Except as provided in RCW 59.18.360, any provision of a lease or other agreement, whether oral or written, whereby any section or subsection of this chapter is waived shall be deemed against public policy and shall be unenforceable. Such unenforceability shall not affect o…
RCW 59.18.240 Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord—Prohibited.
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So long as the tenant is in compliance with this chapter, the landlord shall not take or threaten to take reprisals or retaliatory action against the tenant because of any good faith and lawful:(1) Complaints or reports by the tenant to a governmental authority concerning the fai…
RCW 59.18.250 Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord—Presumptions—Rebuttal—Costs.
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Initiation by the landlord of any action listed in RCW 59.18.240 within ninety days after a good faith and lawful act by the tenant as enumerated in RCW 59.18.240, or within ninety days after any inspection or proceeding of a governmental agency resulting from such act, shall cre…
RCW 59.18.253 Deposit to secure occupancy by tenant—Landlord's duties—Violation.
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(1) It shall be unlawful for a landlord to require a fee or deposit from a prospective tenant for the privilege of being placed on a waiting list to be considered as a tenant for a dwelling unit.(2) A landlord who charges a prospective tenant a fee or deposit to hold a dwelling u…
RCW 59.18.255 Source of income—Landlords prohibited from certain acts—Violation—Penalties.
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(1) A landlord may not, based on the source of income of an otherwise eligible prospective tenant or current tenant:(a) Refuse to lease or rent any real property to a prospective tenant or current tenant, unless the: (i) Prospective tenant's or current tenant's source of income i…
RCW 59.18.257 Screening of prospective tenants—Notice to prospective tenant—Costs—Adverse action notice—Violation.
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(1)(a) Prior to obtaining any information about a prospective tenant, the prospective landlord shall first notify the prospective tenant in writing, or by posting, of the following:(i) What types of information will be accessed to conduct the tenant screening;(ii) What criteria m…
RCW 59.18.260 Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant—Written rental agreement to specify terms and conditions for retention by landlord—Written checklist required.
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(1) If any moneys are paid to the landlord by the tenant as a deposit or as security for performance of the tenant's obligations in a lease or rental agreement, the lease or rental agreement shall be in writing and shall include the terms and conditions under which the deposit or…
RCW 59.18.270 Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant—Deposit by landlord in trust account—Receipt—Remedies under foreclosure—Claims.
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All moneys paid to the landlord by the tenant as a deposit as security for performance of the tenant's obligations in a lease or rental agreement shall promptly be deposited by the landlord in a trust account, maintained by the landlord for the purpose of holding such security de…
RCW 59.18.280 Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant—Statement and notice of basis for retention—Remedies for landlord's failure to make refund—Exception.
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(1)(a) Within 30 days after the termination of the rental agreement and vacation of the premises or, if the tenant abandons the premises as defined in RCW 59.18.310, within 30 days after the landlord learns of the abandonment, the landlord shall give a full and specific statement…
RCW 59.18.283 Moneys paid by tenant—Landlord must apply toward rent—Tenant's right to possession—Installment payment plans.
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Under this chapter:(1) A landlord must first apply any payment made by a tenant toward rent before applying any payment toward late payments, damages, legal costs, or other fees, including attorneys' fees.(2) Except as provided in RCW 59.18.410, the tenant's right to possession o…
RCW 59.18.285 Nonrefundable fees not to be designated as deposit—Written rental agreement required—Remedies.
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No moneys paid to the landlord which are nonrefundable may be designated as a deposit or as part of any deposit. If any moneys are paid to the landlord as a nonrefundable fee, the rental agreement shall be in writing and shall clearly specify that the fee is nonrefundable. If the…
RCW 59.18.290 Removal or exclusion of tenant from premises—Holding over or excluding landlord from premises after termination date—Attorneys' fees.
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(1) It is unlawful for the landlord to remove or exclude from the premises the tenant thereof except under a court order so authorizing. Any tenant so removed or excluded in violation of this section may recover possession of the property or terminate the rental agreement and, in…
RCW 59.18.300 Termination of tenant's utility services—Tenant causing loss of landlord provided utility services.
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It shall be unlawful for a landlord to intentionally cause termination of any of his or her tenant's utility services, including water, heat, electricity, or gas, except for an interruption of utility services for a reasonable time in order to make necessary repairs. Any landlord…
RCW 59.18.310 Default in rent—Abandonment—Liability of tenant—Landlord's remedies—Sale of tenant's property by landlord, deceased tenant exception.
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(1) If the tenant defaults in the payment of rent and reasonably indicates by words or actions the intention not to resume tenancy, the tenant shall be liable for the following for such abandonment: PROVIDED, That upon learning of such abandonment of the premises the landlord sha…
RCW 59.18.312 Writ of restitution—Storage and sale of tenant's property—Use of proceeds from sale—Service by sheriff, form.
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(1) A landlord shall, upon the execution of a writ of restitution by the sheriff, enter and take possession of any property of the tenant found on the premises. The landlord may store the property in any reasonably secure place, including the premises, and sell or dispose of the …
RCW 59.18.315 Mediation of disputes by independent third party.
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The landlord and tenant may agree in writing to submit any dispute arising under the provisions of this chapter or under the terms, conditions, or performance of the rental agreement, to mediation by an independent third party. The parties may agree to submit any dispute to media…
RCW 59.18.320 Arbitration—Authorized—Exceptions—Notice—Procedure.
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(1) The landlord and tenant may agree, in writing, except as provided in *RCW 59.18.230(2)(e), to submit to arbitration, in conformity with the provisions of this section, any controversy arising under the provisions of this chapter, except the following:(a) Controversies regardi…
RCW 59.18.330 Arbitration—Application—Hearings—Decisions.
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(1) Unless otherwise mutually agreed to, in the event a controversy arises under RCW 59.18.320 the landlord or tenant, or both, shall complete an application for arbitration and deliver it to the selected arbitrator.(2) The arbitrator so designated shall schedule a hearing to be …
RCW 59.18.340 Arbitration—Fee.
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The administrative fee for this arbitration procedure shall be established by agreement of the parties and the arbitrator and, unless otherwise allocated by the arbitrator, shall be shared equally by the parties: PROVIDED, That upon either party signing an affidavit to the effect…
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…