Below are direct links to important sections of laws in Washington state that apply to Landlords and Tenants. It is important to be aware of these laws during all phases of renting out a property. These laws do change, and there maybe recent passed legislation that has not yet been fully recorded. It is recommended to seek professional legal help as soon as possible when dealing with Evictions.

NOTE: additional Washington State and Local laws or codes may apply to your situation.

    • 12.40.010 Department authorized—Jurisdictional amount.
    • 12.40.020 Action—Commencement—Fee.
    • 12.40.025 Transfer of action to small claims department.
    • 12.40.027 Removal to superior court—Restrictions—Simultaneous maintenance of claims—Joinder of claims on appeal.
    • 12.40.030 Setting case for hearing—Notice—Time of trial.
    • 12.40.040 Service of notice of claim—Fee.
    • 12.40.045 Recovery of fees as court costs.
    • 12.40.050 Requisites of claim.
    • 12.40.060 Requisites of notice.
    • 12.40.070 Verification of claim.
    • 12.40.080 Hearing.
    • 12.40.090 Informal pleadings.
    • 12.40.100 Payment of monetary judgment.
    • 12.40.105 Increase of judgment for costs and interest—Entry of judgment.
    • 12.40.120 Appeals—Setting aside judgments.
    • 12.40.130 Satisfaction of judgment—Filing.
    • 12.40.800 Small claims informational brochure—Preparation and distribution.
    • 19.27.530 Carbon monoxide alarms—Requirements—Exemptions—Adoption of rules.
    • 19.27A.060 Hot water heaters—Temperature regulation.
    • 35.21.217 Utility services—Deposit—Tenants’ delinquencies—Notice—Lien.
    • 43.44.110 Smoke detection devices in dwelling units—Penalties.
    • 49.60.010 Purpose of chapter.
    • 49.60.020 Construction of chapter—Election of other remedies.
    • 49.60.030 Freedom from discrimination—Declaration of civil rights.
    • 49.60.040 Definitions.
    • 49.60.050 Commission created.
    • 49.60.051 Board name changed to Washington State Human Rights Commission.
    • 49.60.060 Membership of commission
    • 49.60.070 Compensation and reimbursement for travel expenses of commission members.
    • 49.60.080 Official seal.
    • 49.60.090 Offices of commission.
    • 49.60.100 Reports of commission.
    • 49.60.110 Commission to formulate policies.
    • 49.60.220 Unfair practice to aid violation.
    • 49.60.222 Unfair practices with respect to real estate transactions, facilities, or services.
    • 49.60.223 Unfair practice to induce sale or rental of real property by representations regarding entry into neighborhood of persons of particular race, disability, etc.
    • 49.60.2235 Unfair practice to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere regarding secured real estate transaction rights.
    • 49.60.224 Real property contract provisions restricting conveyance, encumbrance, occupancy, or use to persons of particular race, disability, etc., void—Unfair practice.
    • 49.60.225 Relief for unfair practice in real estate transaction—Damages—Penalty.
    • 49.60.227 Declaratory judgment action to strike discriminatory provision of real property contract—Restrictive covenant modification document as alternative.
    • 59.18.010 Short title.
    • 59.18.020 Rights and remedies—Obligation of good faith imposed.
    • 59.18.030 Definitions.
    • 59.18.040 Living arrangements exempted from chapter.
    • 59.18.050 Jurisdiction of district and superior courts.
    • 59.18.055 Notice—Alternative procedure—Court’s jurisdiction limited—Application to chapter 59.20 RCW.
    • 59.18.057 Notice—Form.
    • 59.18.058 Notice—Translated versions—Legal or advocacy resource information.
    • 59.18.060 Landlord—Duties.
    • 59.18.063 Landlord—Written receipts for payments made by tenant.
    • 59.18.065 Landlord—Copy of written rental agreement to tenant.
    • 59.18.070 Landlord—Failure to perform duties—Notice from tenant—Contents—Time limits for landlord’s remedial action.
    • 59.18.075 Seizure of illegal drugs—Notification of landlord.
    • 59.18.080 Payment of rent condition to exercising remedies—Exceptions.
    • 59.18.085 Rental of condemned or unlawful dwelling—Tenant’s remedies—Relocation assistance—Penalties.
    • 59.18.090 Landlord’s failure to remedy defective condition—Tenant’s choice of actions.
    • 59.18.100 Landlord’s failure to carry out duties—Repairs effected by tenant—Procedure—Deduction of cost from rent—Limitations.
    • 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.
    • 59.18.115 Substandard and dangerous conditions—Notice to landlord—Government certification—Escrow account.
    • 59.18.120 Defective condition—Unfeasible to remedy defect—Termination of tenancy.
    • 59.18.125 Inspections by local municipalities—Frequency—Number of rental properties inspected—Notice—Appeals—Penalties.
    • 59.18.130 Duties of tenant.
    • 59.18.140 Reasonable obligations or restrictions—Tenant’s duty to conform—Landlord’s duty to provide written notice in increase of rent.
    • 59.18.150 Landlord’s right of entry—Purposes—Searches by fire officials—Searches by code enforcement officials for inspection purposes—Conditions.
    • 59.18.160 Landlord’s remedies if tenant fails to remedy defective condition.
    • 59.18.170 Landlord to give notice if tenant fails to carry out duties—Late fees.
    • 59.18.180 Tenant’s failure to comply with statutory duties—Landlord to give tenant written notice of noncompliance—Landlord’s remedies.
    • 59.18.190 Notice to tenant to remedy nonconformance.
    • 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.
    • 59.18.210 Tenancies from year to year except under written contract.
    • 59.18.220 End of tenancy for a specified time—Armed forces exception.
    • 59.18.230 Waiver of chapter provisions prohibited—Provisions prohibited from rental agreement—Distress for rent abolished—Detention of personal property for rent—Remedies (as amended by 2021 c 115).
    • 59.18.240 Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord—Prohibited.
    • 59.18.250 Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord—Presumptions—Rebuttal—Costs.
    • 59.18.253 Deposit to secure occupancy by tenant—Landlord’s duties—Violation.
    • 59.18.255 Source of income—Landlords prohibited from certain acts—Violation—Penalties.
    • 59.18.257 Screening of prospective tenants—Notice to prospective tenant—Costs—Adverse action notice—Violation.
    • 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.
    • 59.18.270 Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant—Deposit by landlord in trust account—Receipt—Remedies under foreclosure—Claims.
    • 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.
    • 59.18.283 Moneys paid by tenant—Landlord must apply toward rent—Tenant’s right to possession—Installment payment plans.
    • 59.18.285 Nonrefundable fees not to be designated as deposit—Written rental agreement required—Remedies.
    • 59.18.290 Removal or exclusion of tenant from premises—Holding over or excluding landlord from premises after termination date—Attorneys’ fees.
    • 59.18.300 Termination of tenant’s utility services—Tenant causing loss of landlord provided utility services.
    • 59.18.310 Default in rent—Abandonment—Liability of tenant—Landlord’s remedies—Sale of tenant’s property by landlord, deceased tenant exception.
    • 59.18.312 Writ of restitution—Storage and sale of tenant’s property—Use of proceeds from sale—Service by sheriff, form.
    • 59.18.315 Mediation of disputes by independent third party.
    • 59.18.320 Arbitration—Authorized—Exceptions—Notice—Procedure.
    • 59.18.330 Arbitration—Application—Hearings—Decisions.
    • 59.18.340 Arbitration—Fee.
    • 59.18.350 Arbitration—Completion of arbitration after giving notice.
    • 59.18.352 Threatening behavior by tenant—Termination of agreement—Written notice—Financial obligations.
    • 59.18.354 Threatening behavior by landlord—Termination of agreement—Financial obligations.
    • 59.18.360 Exemptions.
    • 59.18.363 Unlawful detainer action—Distressed home, previously.
    • 59.18.365 Unlawful detainer action—Summons—Form.
    • 59.18.367 Unlawful detainer action—Limited dissemination authorized, when.
    • 59.18.370 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions—Writ of restitution—Application—Order—Hearing.
    • 59.18.380 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions—Writ of restitution—Answer—Order—Stay—Bond.
    • 59.18.390 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions—Writ of restitution—Service—Tenant’s bond—Notice.
    • 59.18.400 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions—Writ of restitution—Answer of defendant.
    • 59.18.410 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions—Notice of default—Writ of restitution—Judgment—Execution.
    • 59.18.415 Applicability to certain single-family dwelling leases.
    • 59.18.420 RCW 59.12.090, 59.12.100, 59.12.121, and 59.12.170 inapplicable.
    • 59.18.430 Applicability to prior, existing or future leases.
    • 59.18.435 Applicability to proprietary leases.
    • 59.18.440 Relocation assistance for low-income tenants—Certain cities, towns, counties, municipal corporations authorized to require.
    • 59.18.450 Relocation assistance for low-income tenants—Payments not considered income—Eligibility for other assistance not affected.
    • 59.18.500 Gang-related activity—Legislative findings, declarations, and intent.
    • 59.18.510 Gang-related activity—Notice and demand the landlord commence unlawful detainer action—Petition to court—Attorneys’ fees.
    • 59.18.550 Drug and alcohol free housing—Program of recovery—Terms—Application of chapter.
    • 59.18.570 Victim protection—Definitions.
    • 59.18.575 Victim protection—Notice to landlord—Termination of rental agreement—Procedures.
    • 59.18.580 Victim protection—Limitation on tenant screening service provider disclosures and landlord’s rental decisions.
    • 59.18.585 Victim protection—Possession of dwelling unit—Exclusion of others—New lock or key.
    • 59.18.590 Death of a tenant—Designated person.
    • 59.18.595 Death of a tenant—Landlord duties—Disposition of property procedures—Liability.
    • 59.18.610 Installments—Deposits, nonrefundable fees, and last month’s rent—Statutory penalty.
    • 59.18.620 Definitions applicable to RCW 59.18.625 and 59.18.630.
    • 59.18.625 Late fees, charges for nonpayment of rent due between March 1, 2020, and six months after eviction moratorium expiration—Violations—Penalties.
    • 59.18.630 Eviction moratorium—Unpaid rent—Repayment plans—Rental assistance.
    • 59.18.640 Indigent tenants.
    • 59.18.650 Eviction of tenant, refusal to continue tenancy, end of periodic tenancy—Cause—Notice—Penalties.
    • 59.18.660 Eviction resolution pilot program.
    • 59.18.900 Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 207.
    • 59.18.911 Effective date—1989 c 342.
    • 59.18.912 Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.
    • 59.20.010 Short title.
    • 59.20.020 Rights and remedies—Obligation of good faith required.
    • 59.20.030 Definitions.
    • 59.20.040 Chapter applies to rental agreements regarding mobile home lots, cooperatives, or subdivisions—Applicability of and construction with provisions of chapters 59.12 and 59.18 RCW.
    • 59.20.045 Enforceability of rules against a tenant.
    • 59.20.050 Written rental agreement for term of one year or more required—Waiver—Exceptions—Application of section.
    • 59.20.060 Rental agreements—Required contents—Prohibited provisions.
    • 59.20.070 Prohibited acts by landlord.
    • 59.20.073 Transfer of rental agreements.
    • 59.20.074 Rent—Liability of secured party with right to possession.
    • 59.20.075 Presumption of reprisal or retaliatory action.
    • 59.20.080 Grounds for termination of tenancy or occupancy or failure to renew a tenancy or occupancy—Notice—Mediation.
    • 59.20.090 Term of rental agreements—Renewal—Nonrenewal—Termination—Armed forces exception—Notices.
    • 59.20.095 Short-term rental agreements for recreational vehicles.
    • 59.20.100 Improvements.
    • 59.20.110 Attorney’s fees and costs.
    • 59.20.120 Venue.
    • 59.20.130 Duties of landlord.
    • 59.20.134 Written receipts for payments made by tenant.
    • 59.20.135 Maintenance of permanent structures—Findings and declarations—Definition.
    • 59.20.140 Duties of tenant.
    • 59.20.145 Live-in care provider—Not a tenant—Agreements—Guest fee.
    • 59.20.150 Service of notice on landlord or tenant.
    • 59.20.155 Seizure of illegal drugs—Notification of landlord.
    • 59.20.160 Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant—Written rental agreement to specify terms and conditions for retention by landlord.
    • 59.20.170 Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant—Deposit by landlord in trust account—Receipt—Claims.
    • 59.20.180 Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant—Statement and notice of basis for retention.
    • 59.20.190 Health and sanitation standards—Penalties.
    • 59.20.200 Landlord—Failure to carry out duties—Notice from tenant—Time limits for landlord’s remedial action.
    • 59.20.210 Landlord—Failure to carry out duties—Repairs effected by tenant—Bids—Notice—Deduction of cost from rent—Limitations.
    • 59.20.220 Landlord—Failure to carry out duties—Judgment by court or arbitrator for diminished rental value and repair costs—Enforcement of judgment—Reduction in rent.
    • 59.20.230 Defective condition—Unfeasible to remedy defect—Termination of tenancy.
    • 59.20.240 Payment of rent condition to exercising remedies.
    • 59.20.250 Mediation of disputes by independent third party.
    • 59.20.260 Arbitration—Authorized—Selection of arbitrator—Procedure.
    • 59.20.270 Arbitration—Application—Hearings—Decisions.
    • 59.20.280 Arbitration—Fee.
    • 59.20.290 Arbitration—Completion of arbitration after giving notice.
    • 59.20.300 Manufactured/mobile home communities—Notice of sale.
    • 59.20.305 Manufactured/mobile home communities—Good faith negotiations.
    • 59.20.310 Unlawful detainer action—Limited dissemination.
    • 59.20.901 Effective date—1999 c 359.
    • 59.20.902 Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.

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