Revised Code of Washington - RCW Title 59 Landlord And Tenant - Chapter 59.18 Residential Landlord-Tenant Act

59.18.010 Short title
RCW 59.18.010 through 59.18.420 and 59.18.900 shall be known and may be cited as the "Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 1973", and shall constitute a new ...

59.18.020 Rights and remedies -- Obligation of good faith imposed
Every duty under this chapter and every act which must be performed as a condition precedent to the exercise of a right or remedy under ...

59.18.030 Definitions
As used in this chapter: (1) "Distressed home" has the same meaning as in RCW 61.34.020. (2) "Distressed home conveyance" has the same meaning as ...

59.18.040 Living arrangements exempted from chapter
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 ...

59.18.050 Jurisdiction of district and superior courts
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 ...

59.18.055 Notice -- Alternative procedure -- Court's jurisdiction limited -- Application to chapter 59.20 RCW
(1) When the plaintiff, after the exercise of due diligence, is unable to personally serve the summons on the defendant, the court may authorize the ...

59.18.060 Landlord -- Duties
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 ...

59.18.063 Landlord -- Provide written receipt upon request
A landlord shall provide, upon the request of a tenant, a written receipt for any payments made by the tenant.[1997 c 84 § 1.] ...

59.18.070 Landlord -- Failure to perform duties -- Notice from tenant -- Contents -- Time limits for landlord's remedial action
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 ...

59.18.075 Seizure of illegal drugs -- Notification of landlord
(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 ...

59.18.080 Payment of rent condition to exercising remedies -- Exceptions
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 ...

59.18.085 Rental of condemned or unlawful dwelling -- Tenant's remedies -- Relocation assistance -- Penalties
(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 ...

59.18.090 Landlord's failure to remedy defective condition -- Tenant's choice of actions
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 ...

59.18.100 Landlord's failure to carry out duties -- Repairs effected by tenant -- Procedure -- Deduction of cost from rent -- Limitations
(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 ...

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
(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; ...

59.18.115 Substandard and dangerous conditions -- Notice to landlord -- Government certification -- Escrow account
(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 ...

59.18.120 Defective condition -- Unfeasible to remedy defect -- Termination of tenancy
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 ...

59.18.130 Duties of tenant
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 ...

59.18.140 Reasonable obligations or restrictions -- Tenant's duty to conform
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, ...

59.18.150 Landlord's right of entry -- Purposes -- Searches by fire officials -- Conditions
(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 ...

59.18.160 Landlord's remedies if tenant fails to remedy defective condition
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 ...

59.18.170 Landlord to give notice if tenant fails to carry out duties
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 ...

59.18.180 Tenant's failure to comply with statutory duties -- Landlord to give tenant written notice of noncompliance -- Landlord's remedies
(1) If the tenant fails to comply with any portion of RCW 59.18.130 or 59.18.140, and such noncompliance can substantially affect the health and safety ...

59.18.190 Notice to tenant to remedy nonconformance
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 ...

59.18.200 Tenancy from month to month or for rental period -- Termination -- Armed Forces exception -- Exclusion of children -- Conversion to condominium -- Notice
(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 ...

59.18.210 Tenancies from year to year except under written contract
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, ...

59.18.220 Termination of tenancy for a specified time -- Armed forces exception
(1) In all cases where premises are rented for a specified time, by express or implied contract, the tenancy shall be deemed terminated at the ...

59.18.230 Waiver of chapter provisions prohibited -- Provisions prohibited from rental agreement -- Distress for rent abolished -- Detention of personal property for rent -- Remedies
(1) Any provision of a lease or other agreement, whether oral or written, whereby any section or subsection of this chapter is waived except as ...

59.18.240 Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord -- Prohibited
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 ...

59.18.250 Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord -- Presumptions -- Rebuttal -- Costs
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 ...

59.18.253 Deposit to secure occupancy by tenant -- Landlord's duties -- Violation
(1) It shall be unlawful for a landlord to require a fee from a prospective tenant for the privilege of being placed on a waiting ...

59.18.257 Screening of tenants -- Costs -- Notice to tenant -- Violation
(1) If a landlord uses a tenant screening service, then the landlord may only charge for the costs incurred for using the tenant screening service ...

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
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 ...

59.18.270 Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant -- Deposit by landlord in trust account -- Receipt -- Claims
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 ...

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
Within fourteen days after the termination of the rental agreement and vacation of the premises or, if the tenant abandons the premises as defined in ...

59.18.285 Nonrefundable fees not to be designated as deposit -- Written rental agreement required
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 ...

59.18.290 Removal or exclusion of tenant from premises -- Holding over or excluding landlord from premises after termination date
(1) It shall be unlawful for the landlord to remove or exclude from the premises the tenant thereof except under a court order so authorizing. ...

59.18.300 Termination of tenant's utility services -- Tenant causing loss of landlord provided utility services
It shall be unlawful for a landlord to intentionally cause termination of any of his tenant's utility services, including water, heat, electricity, or gas, except ...

59.18.310 Default in rent -- Abandonment -- Liability of tenant -- Landlord's remedies -- Sale of tenant's property by landlord
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 ...

59.18.312 Writ of restitution -- Storage and sale of tenant's property -- Use of proceeds from sale -- Service by sheriff, form
(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 ...

59.18.315 Mediation of disputes by independent third party
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 ...

59.18.320 Arbitration -- Authorized -- Exceptions -- Notice--Procedure
(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 ...

59.18.330 Arbitration -- Application -- Hearings -- Decisions
(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 ...

59.18.340 Arbitration -- Fee
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, ...

59.18.350 Arbitration -- Completion of arbitration after giving notice
When a party gives notice pursuant to subsection (2) of RCW 59.18.320, he must, at the same time, arrange for arbitration of the grievance in ...

59.18.352 Threatening behavior by tenant -- Termination of agreement -- Written notice -- Financial obligations
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, ...

59.18.354 Threatening behavior by landlord -- Termination of agreement -- Financial obligations
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 ...

59.18.360 Exemptions
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 ...

59.18.363 Unlawful detainer action -- Distressed home, previously
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 ...

59.18.365 Unlawful detainer action -- Summons -- Form
(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 ...

59.18.370 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions -- Writ of restitution -- Application -- Order -- Hearing
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 ...

59.18.375 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions -- Payment of rent into court registry -- Writ of restitution -- Notice
(1) The procedures and remedies provided by this section are optional and in addition to other procedures and remedies provided by this chapter. (2) In ...

59.18.380 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions -- Writ of restitution -- Answer -- Order -- Stay -- Bond
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 ...

59.18.390 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions -- Writ of restitution -- Service -- Defendant's bond
(1) The sheriff shall, upon receiving the writ of restitution, forthwith serve a copy thereof upon the defendant, his or her agent, or attorney, or ...

59.18.400 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions -- Writ of restitution -- Answer of defendant
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 ...

59.18.410 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions -- Writ of restitution -- Judgment -- Execution
If upon the trial the verdict of the jury or, if the case be tried without a jury, the finding of the court be in ...

59.18.415 Applicability to certain single family dwelling leases
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 ...

59.18.420 RCW 59.12.090, 59.12.100, 59.12.121, and 59.12.170 inapplicable
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 ...

59.18.430 Applicability to prior, existing or future leases
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 ...

59.18.440 Relocation assistance for low-income tenants -- Certain cities, towns, counties, municipal corporations authorized to require
(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 ...

59.18.450 Relocation assistance for low-income tenants -- Payments not considered income -- Eligibility for other assistance not affected
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 ...

59.18.500 Gang-related activity -- Legislative findings, declarations, and intent
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 ...

59.18.510 Gang-related activity -- Notice and demand the landlord commence unlawful detainer action -- Petition to court -- Attorneys' fees
(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 ...

59.18.550 Drug and alcohol free housing -- Program of recovery -- Terms -- Application of chapter
(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 ...

59.18.570 Victim protection--Definitions
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) "Domestic violence" has the ...

59.18.575 Victim protection--Notice to landlord--Termination of rental agreement--Procedures
(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 ...

59.18.580 Victim protection--Limitation on landlord's rental decisions
(1) A landlord may not terminate a tenancy, fail to renew a tenancy, or refuse to enter into a rental agreement based on the tenant's ...

59.18.585 Victim protection--Possession of dwelling unit--Exclusion of others--New lock or key
(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 ...

59.18.900 Severability -- 1973 1st ex.s. c 207
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 ...

59.18.910 Severability -- 1989 c 342
If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application ...

59.18.911 Effective date -- 1989 c 342
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 ...