FINAL BILL REPORT

ESB 5624

C 259 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Requiring disclosure of fire protection and building safety information.

Sponsors:  Senator Kohl‑Welles.

Senate Committee on Judiciary

House Committee on Local Government & Housing

Background:  Landlords are required by state law to keep the premises of their building(s) fit for human habitation.  Included is the responsibility to maintain the premises to substantially comply with applicable codes.  The Governor's Fire Protection Task Force made many recommendations concerning fire safety in boarding homes.  The task force also looked at fire safety in multi-family dwellings, such as apartment buildings.  Members of that task force suggest that tenants of multi-family dwellings be provided with written notice of fire safety procedures and equipment in the multi-family dwellings they rent.

Summary:  Landlords of single-family residences must provide written notice disclosing fire and protection information.  The landlord of a multi-family dwelling must provide written notice or a checklist to tenants that discloses the specific fire protection and safety information for the building.  The written notice must be provided to new tenants at the time the agreement is signed and must be provided to current tenants by no later than January 1, 2004.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate490

House951(House amended)

Senate460(Senate concurred)

Effective:  June 13, 2002