Chapter 59.18 RCW

RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT ACT

Sections

HTMLPDF 59.18.010Short title.
HTMLPDF 59.18.020Rights and remediesObligation of good faith imposed.
HTMLPDF 59.18.030Definitions.
HTMLPDF 59.18.040Living arrangements exempted from chapter.
HTMLPDF 59.18.050Jurisdiction of district and superior courts.
HTMLPDF 59.18.055NoticeAlternative procedureCourt's jurisdiction limitedApplication to chapter 59.20 RCW.
HTMLPDF 59.18.057NoticeForm.
HTMLPDF 59.18.058NoticeTranslated versionsLegal or advocacy resource information.
HTMLPDF 59.18.060LandlordDuties.
HTMLPDF 59.18.063LandlordWritten receipts for payments made by tenant.
HTMLPDF 59.18.065LandlordCopy of written rental agreement to tenant.
HTMLPDF 59.18.070LandlordFailure to perform dutiesNotice from tenantContentsTime limits for landlord's remedial action.
HTMLPDF 59.18.075Seizure of illegal drugsNotification of landlord.
HTMLPDF 59.18.080Payment of rent condition to exercising remediesExceptions.
HTMLPDF 59.18.085Rental of condemned or unlawful dwellingTenant's remediesRelocation assistancePenalties.
HTMLPDF 59.18.090Landlord's failure to remedy defective conditionTenant's choice of actions.
HTMLPDF 59.18.100Landlord's failure to carry out dutiesRepairs effected by tenantProcedureDeduction of cost from rentLimitations.
HTMLPDF 59.18.110Failure of landlord to carry out dutiesDetermination by court or arbitratorJudgment against landlord for diminished rental value and repair costsEnforcement of judgmentReduction in rent under certain conditions.
HTMLPDF 59.18.115Substandard and dangerous conditionsNotice to landlordGovernment certificationEscrow account.
HTMLPDF 59.18.120Defective conditionUnfeasible to remedy defectTermination of tenancy.
HTMLPDF 59.18.125Inspections by local municipalitiesFrequencyNumber of rental properties inspectedNoticeAppealsPenalties.
HTMLPDF 59.18.130Duties of tenant.
HTMLPDF 59.18.140Reasonable obligations or restrictionsTenant's duty to conformLandlord's duty to provide written notice in increase of rent.
HTMLPDF 59.18.150Landlord's right of entryPurposesSearches by fire officialsSearches by code enforcement officials for inspection purposesConditions.
HTMLPDF 59.18.160Landlord's remedies if tenant fails to remedy defective condition.
HTMLPDF 59.18.170Landlord to give notice if tenant fails to carry out dutiesLate fees.
HTMLPDF 59.18.180Tenant's failure to comply with statutory dutiesLandlord to give tenant written notice of noncomplianceLandlord's remedies.
HTMLPDF 59.18.190Notice to tenant to remedy nonconformance.
HTMLPDF 59.18.200Tenancy from month to month or for rental periodEnd of tenancyArmed forces exceptionExclusion of childrenConversion to condominiumDemolition, substantial rehabilitation of the premisesNotice.
HTMLPDF 59.18.210Tenancies from year to year except under written contract.
HTMLPDF 59.18.220End of tenancy for a specified timeArmed forces exception.
HTMLPDF 59.18.230Waiver of chapter provisions prohibitedProvisions prohibited from rental agreementDistress for rent abolishedDetention of personal property for rentRemedies.
HTMLPDF 59.18.240Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlordProhibited.
HTMLPDF 59.18.250Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlordPresumptionsRebuttalCosts.
HTMLPDF 59.18.253Deposit to secure occupancy by tenantLandlord's dutiesViolation.
HTMLPDF 59.18.255Source of incomeLandlords prohibited from certain actsViolationPenalties.
HTMLPDF 59.18.257Screening of prospective tenantsNotice to prospective tenantCostsAdverse action noticeViolation.
HTMLPDF 59.18.260Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenantWritten rental agreement to specify terms and conditions for retention by landlordWritten checklist required.
HTMLPDF 59.18.270Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenantDeposit by landlord in trust accountReceiptRemedies under foreclosureClaims.
HTMLPDF 59.18.280Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenantStatement and notice of basis for retentionRemedies for landlord's failure to make refundException.
HTMLPDF 59.18.283Moneys paid by tenantLandlord must apply toward rentTenant's right to possessionInstallment payment plans.
HTMLPDF 59.18.285Nonrefundable fees not to be designated as depositWritten rental agreement requiredRemedies.
HTMLPDF 59.18.290Removal or exclusion of tenant from premisesHolding over or excluding landlord from premises after termination dateAttorneys' fees.
HTMLPDF 59.18.300Termination of tenant's utility servicesTenant causing loss of landlord provided utility services.
HTMLPDF 59.18.310Default in rentAbandonmentLiability of tenantLandlord's remediesSale of tenant's property by landlord, deceased tenant exception.
HTMLPDF 59.18.312Writ of restitutionStorage and sale of tenant's propertyUse of proceeds from saleService by sheriff, form.
HTMLPDF 59.18.315Mediation of disputes by independent third party.
HTMLPDF 59.18.320ArbitrationAuthorizedExceptionsNoticeProcedure.
HTMLPDF 59.18.330ArbitrationApplicationHearingsDecisions.
HTMLPDF 59.18.340ArbitrationFee.
HTMLPDF 59.18.350ArbitrationCompletion of arbitration after giving notice.
HTMLPDF 59.18.352Threatening behavior by tenantTermination of agreementWritten noticeFinancial obligations.
HTMLPDF 59.18.354Threatening behavior by landlordTermination of agreementFinancial obligations.
HTMLPDF 59.18.360Exemptions.
HTMLPDF 59.18.363Unlawful detainer actionDistressed home, previously.
HTMLPDF 59.18.365Unlawful detainer actionSummonsForm.
HTMLPDF 59.18.367Unlawful detainer actionLimited dissemination authorized, when.
HTMLPDF 59.18.370Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actionsWrit of restitutionApplicationOrderHearing.
HTMLPDF 59.18.380Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actionsWrit of restitutionAnswerOrderStayBond.
HTMLPDF 59.18.390Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actionsWrit of restitutionServiceTenant's bondNotice.
HTMLPDF 59.18.400Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actionsWrit of restitutionAnswer of defendant.
HTMLPDF 59.18.410Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actionsNotice of defaultWrit of restitutionJudgmentExecution.
HTMLPDF 59.18.412Forcible or unlawful detainer proceeding.
HTMLPDF 59.18.415Applicability to certain single-family dwelling leases.
HTMLPDF 59.18.420RCW 59.12.090, 59.12.100, 59.12.121, and 59.12.170 inapplicable.
HTMLPDF 59.18.430Applicability to prior, existing or future leases.
HTMLPDF 59.18.435Applicability to proprietary leases.
HTMLPDF 59.18.440Relocation assistance for low-income tenantsCertain cities, towns, counties, municipal corporations authorized to require.
HTMLPDF 59.18.450Relocation assistance for low-income tenantsPayments not considered incomeEligibility for other assistance not affected.
HTMLPDF 59.18.500Gang-related activityLegislative findings, declarations, and intent.
HTMLPDF 59.18.510Gang-related activityNotice and demand the landlord commence unlawful detainer actionPetition to courtAttorneys' fees.
HTMLPDF 59.18.550Drug and alcohol free housingProgram of recoveryTermsApplication of chapter.
HTMLPDF 59.18.570Victim protectionDefinitions.
HTMLPDF 59.18.575Victim protectionNotice to landlordTermination of rental agreementProcedures.
HTMLPDF 59.18.580Victim protectionLimitation on tenant screening service provider disclosures and landlord's rental decisions.
HTMLPDF 59.18.585Victim protectionPossession of dwelling unitExclusion of othersNew lock or key.
HTMLPDF 59.18.590Death of a tenantDesignated person.
HTMLPDF 59.18.595Death of a tenantLandlord dutiesDisposition of property proceduresLiability.
HTMLPDF 59.18.610InstallmentsDeposits, nonrefundable fees, and last month's rentStatutory penalty.
HTMLPDF 59.18.620Definitions applicable to RCW 59.18.625 and 59.18.630.
HTMLPDF 59.18.625Late fees, charges for nonpayment of rent due between March 1, 2020, and six months after eviction moratorium expirationViolationsPenalties.
HTMLPDF 59.18.630Eviction moratoriumUnpaid rentRepayment plansRental assistance.
HTMLPDF 59.18.640Indigent tenants.
HTMLPDF 59.18.650Eviction of tenant, refusal to continue tenancy, end of periodic tenancyCauseNoticePenalties.
HTMLPDF 59.18.670Security depositLandlord waiver, disclosure formFee in lieuClaims for lossesJudicial action, collection activityViolation.
HTMLPDF 59.18.900Severability1973 1st ex.s. c 207.
HTMLPDF 59.18.911Effective date1989 c 342.
HTMLPDF 59.18.912ConstructionChapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships2009 c 521.

NOTES:

Reviser's note: This chapter was revised pursuant to Wash. Ass'n of Apartment Ass'ns v. Evans, 88 Wn.2d 563, 564 P.2d 788 (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.