SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5833

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background: The Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA) regulates the relationship between tenants and landlords. The RLTA provides requirements, duties, rights, and remedies with respect to the landlord and tenant relationship.

Generally, a rental agreement will establish a tenancy for a specified period of time or a periodic tenancy (e.g., month to month). A tenancy for a specified time is terminated at the end of the period specified. A periodic tenancy is automatically renewed for another period until terminated by either the landlord or the tenant by giving at least 20 days notice prior to the end of the period.

The RLTA specifies certain circumstances under which a landlord or tenant may terminate a tenancy without further obligation under the agreement. One of those circumstances is where the tenant is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. If a tenant has a valid order of protection or the tenant reports the domestic violence to a qualified third party and the qualified third party provides and signs a written record of the report, the tenant may terminate the tenant's rental agreement. The request to terminate the tenancy must occur within 90 days of the reported act and the tenant must provide a copy of the order or report to the landlord.

A qualified third party is defined as a law enforcement officer, a health professional, court personnel, a mental health professional, a crime victim advocate, or a member of the clergy. A written record of report must include the time and location that the act occurred, a brief description of the act or acts of domestic violence, and that the tenant informed the qualified third party of the name of the alleged perpetrator. The name of the perpetrator must not be included in the report. A model form is prescribed by statute.

Summary of Bill: If a tenant is a victim of sexual assault, stalking, or sexual harassment by a landlord, the tenant may terminate the rental agreement prior to obtaining a valid order of protection or a written record of report signed by a qualified third party if the tenant provides a copy of an order or report to the landlord within seven days of quitting the tenant's dwelling unit.

Sexual harassment is defined. Landlord is defined to include employees of the landlord. On written request of the landlord, the qualified third party must provide the name of the alleged perpetrator to the landlord.

A tenant who is a victim of sexual assault, stalking, or sexual harassment by a landlord may change or add locks to the tenant's dwelling unit at the tenant's expense and give a copy of the new key to the qualified third party. A protection order or record of report must be provided to the landlord within seven days of changing the locks. The act of changing the locks does not discharge a tenant from the rental obligation. A landlord may only enter the tenant's dwelling unit if accompanied by a law enforcement official. The qualified third party must provide the key to law enforcement within three days of a request. Upon vacating the unit, the tenant must provide the key and all copies of the key to the landlord.

A tenant who is a victim of sexual assault, stalking, or sexual harassment by a landlord may sue the landlord for relocation assistance. A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant who exercises his or her rights under this section. A landlord must provide tenants with a written notice of a tenant's rights under this section. The form of notice is prescribed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill builds on provisions enacted in 2004 to protect victims of sexual assault. The provision has worked well and there has not been reports of people abusing the system. We have identified a deficiency in that the system won't help someone who is being sexually harassed by their landlord. The landlord groups have worked in good faith, but they are still working on coming to a consensus. This issue is real, although the true incidence rate is unknown. Victims groups have polled state workers and have found victims in the state. Common landlord behaviors include quid pro quo offers and a refusal to fix. Landlords have unique access by knowing the layout of the premises and having a key to the tenant premises.

A victim is required to make a report of the sexual abuse. Reporting can be extremely difficult. The seven-day delay in the bill is critical to tenant safety as is the ability to change the locks for immediate protection. Victims should not have to choose between a roof over their head and their personal safety.

CON: The landlord's associations have been involved in negotiations to try and iron out a good policy. The current version is quite a bit different than what you have in front of you. Both sides should be able to come to an agreed version in the near future.

Persons Testifying: PRO: David Ward, NW Women's Law Center; Andrea Piper, Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs; Jennifer Castro, Housing Justice Project.

CON: Joe Puckett, Washington Multi-Family Housing Association; Ron Newbry, Yakima Valley Landlords Association; Julie Johnson, Rental Housing Association.