H-0198.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1256

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1995 Regular Session

By Representatives Schoesler, Sheldon, Thompson, Johnson, Clements, Hickel, Huff, Boldt, Sheahan and Basich

Read first time 01/18/95.  Referred to Committee on Law and Justice.

Preempting the field of landlord-tenant regulation.

    AN ACT Relating to the regulation of residential landlord-tenant duties; and adding a new section to chapter 59.18 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 59.18 RCW to read as follows:

    The state of Washington hereby fully occupies and preempts the entire field of landlord-tenant regulation within the boundaries of the state.  Local laws that are inconsistent with, more restrictive than, or exceed the requirements of state law shall not be enacted and are preempted and repealed, regardless of the nature of the code, charter, or home rule status of the city, town, county, or other municipality.

    Affirmative defenses to an unlawful detainer action that change the duties of a landlord or tenant that are inconsistent with, more restrictive than, or exceed the requirements of state law shall not be enacted and are preempted and repealed, regardless of the nature of the code, charter, or home rule status of the city, town, county, or other municipality.

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