The Landlord Protection Agency  
Main Menu Membership With The LPA Free Services Member Services  
Washington State Residential Landlord Tenant Act

Chapter 59.18 RCW

RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT ACT

Complete Chapter | RCW Dispositions


RCW Sections

59.18.010Short title.
59.18.020Rights and remedies -- Obligation of good faith imposed.
59.18.030Definitions.
59.18.040Living arrangements exempted from chapter.
59.18.050Jurisdiction of district and superior courts.
59.18.055Notice -- Alternative procedure -- Court's jurisdiction limited -- Application to chapter 59.20 RCW.
59.18.060Landlord -- Duties.
59.18.063Landlord -- Written receipts for payments made by tenant.
59.18.065Landlord -- Copy of written rental agreement to tenant.
59.18.070Landlord -- Failure to perform duties -- Notice from tenant -- Contents -- Time limits for landlord's remedial action.
59.18.075Seizure of illegal drugs -- Notification of landlord.
59.18.080Payment of rent condition to exercising remedies -- Exceptions.
59.18.085Rental of condemned or unlawful dwelling -- Tenant's remedies -- Relocation assistance -- Penalties.
59.18.090Landlord's failure to remedy defective condition -- Tenant's choice of actions.
59.18.100Landlord's failure to carry out duties -- Repairs effected by tenant -- Procedure -- Deduction of cost from rent -- Limitations.
59.18.110Failure 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.
59.18.115Substandard and dangerous conditions -- Notice to landlord -- Government certification -- Escrow account.
59.18.120Defective condition -- Unfeasible to remedy defect -- Termination of tenancy.
59.18.125Inspections by local municipalities -- Frequency -- Number of rental properties inspected -- Notice -- Appeals -- Penalties.
59.18.130Duties of tenant.
59.18.140Reasonable obligations or restrictions -- Tenant's duty to conform.
59.18.150Landlord's right of entry -- Purposes -- Searches by fire officials -- Searches by code enforcement officials for inspection purposes -- Conditions.
59.18.160Landlord's remedies if tenant fails to remedy defective condition.
59.18.170Landlord to give notice if tenant fails to carry out duties.
59.18.180Tenant's failure to comply with statutory duties -- Landlord to give tenant written notice of noncompliance -- Landlord's remedies.
59.18.190Notice to tenant to remedy nonconformance.
59.18.200Tenancy from month to month or for rental period -- Termination -- Armed Forces exception -- Exclusion of children -- Conversion to condominium -- Notice.
59.18.210Tenancies from year to year except under written contract.
59.18.220Termination of tenancy for a specified time -- Armed forces exception.
59.18.230Waiver of chapter provisions prohibited -- Provisions prohibited from rental agreement -- Distress for rent abolished -- Detention of personal property for rent -- Remedies.
59.18.240Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord -- Prohibited.
59.18.250Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord -- Presumptions -- Rebuttal -- Costs.
59.18.253Deposit to secure occupancy by tenant -- Landlord's duties -- Violation.
59.18.257Screening of prospective tenants -- Notice to prospective tenant -- Costs -- Adverse action notice -- Violation -- Work group.
59.18.260Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant -- Written rental agreement to specify terms and conditions for retention by landlord -- Written checklist required.
59.18.270Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant -- Deposit by landlord in trust account -- Receipt -- Remedies under foreclosure -- Claims.
59.18.280Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant -- Statement and notice of basis for retention -- Remedies for landlord's failure to make refund.
59.18.285Nonrefundable fees not to be designated as deposit -- Written rental agreement required -- Remedies.
59.18.290Removal or exclusion of tenant from premises -- Holding over or excluding landlord from premises after termination date.
59.18.300Termination of tenant's utility services -- Tenant causing loss of landlord provided utility services.
59.18.310Default in rent -- Abandonment -- Liability of tenant -- Landlord's remedies -- Sale of tenant's property by landlord.
59.18.312Writ of restitution -- Storage and sale of tenant's property -- Use of proceeds from sale -- Service by sheriff, form.
59.18.315Mediation of disputes by independent third party.
59.18.320Arbitration -- Authorized -- Exceptions -- Notice--Procedure.
59.18.330Arbitration -- Application -- Hearings -- Decisions.
59.18.340Arbitration -- Fee.
59.18.350Arbitration -- Completion of arbitration after giving notice.
59.18.352Threatening behavior by tenant -- Termination of agreement -- Written notice -- Financial obligations.
59.18.354Threatening behavior by landlord -- Termination of agreement -- Financial obligations.
59.18.360Exemptions.
59.18.363Unlawful detainer action -- Distressed home, previously.
59.18.365Unlawful detainer action -- Summons -- Form.
59.18.370Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions -- Writ of restitution -- Application -- Order -- Hearing.
59.18.375Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions -- Payment of rent into court registry -- Writ of restitution -- Notice.
59.18.380Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions -- Writ of restitution -- Answer -- Order -- Stay -- Bond.
59.18.390Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions -- Writ of restitution -- Service -- Defendant's bond.
59.18.400Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions -- Writ of restitution -- Answer of defendant.
59.18.410Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions -- Writ of restitution -- Judgment -- Execution.
59.18.415Applicability to certain single-family dwelling leases.
59.18.420RCW 59.12.090, 59.12.100, 59.12.121, and 59.12.170 inapplicable.
59.18.430Applicability to prior, existing or future leases.
59.18.440Relocation assistance for low-income tenants -- Certain cities, towns, counties, municipal corporations authorized to require.
59.18.450Relocation assistance for low-income tenants -- Payments not considered income -- Eligibility for other assistance not affected.
59.18.500Gang-related activity -- Legislative findings, declarations, and intent.
59.18.510Gang-related activity -- Notice and demand the landlord commence unlawful detainer action -- Petition to court -- Attorneys' fees.
59.18.550Drug and alcohol free housing -- Program of recovery -- Terms -- Application of chapter.
59.18.570Victim protection--Definitions.
59.18.575Victim protection--Notice to landlord--Termination of rental agreement--Procedures.
59.18.580Victim protection--Limitation on tenant screening service provider disclosures and landlord's rental decisions.
59.18.585Victim protection--Possession of dwelling unit--Exclusion of others--New lock or key.
59.18.900Severability -- 1973 1st ex.s. c 207.
59.18.910Severability -- 1989 c 342.
59.18.911Effective date -- 1989 c 342.
59.18.912Construction -- Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships -- 2009 c 521.

Notes:

     Reviser's note: This chapter was revised pursuant to Washington Ass'n. of Apartment Ass'ns., Inc. vs. Evans, 88 Wn. 2d. 563 (1977), which declared invalid the fourteen item and section vetoes to 1973 Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 2226 (1973 1st ex.s. c 207).

Filing fees for unlawful detainer actions: RCW 36.18.012.

Smoke detection devices in dwelling units required: RCW 43.44.110.

© 2000-2022 The Landlord Protection Agency, Inc. All Rights Reserved.



Home | About The LPA | Contact Information | LPA Membership | Landlord Q&A Forum | Free Forms | Essential Forms | Credit Reports
E-mail a friend about TheLPA | Free Email LPA Newsletter | LPA FAQ | HELP using this site