SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5529

               As Passed Senate, March 19, 1997

Title:  An act relating to requiring a landlord to provide a written receipt if requested.

Brief Description:  Providing written receipts to tenants.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl, Horn, Heavey, Schow, Fairley, Winsley and Oke).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  2/24/97, 3/3/97 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/19/97, 49-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5529 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Johnson, Vice Chair; Fairley, Goings, Kline, Long and McCaslin.

Staff:  Martin Lovinger (786-7443)

Background:  Some tenants choose to pay their rent with cash.  In order to have proof that they have paid the rent, such tenants need a receipt.  Not having proof of rent payment can, under some circumstances, cause legal problems for the tenant.

Summary of Bill:  A landlord is required, upon request, to provide a written receipt for any payment made by the tenant.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  People who pay by check have a receipt, but people who pay with cash do not.  Landlords are not required to provide a receipt unless requested.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Jeanne Kohl, prime sponsor.