SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5749
As of January 18, 2022
Title: An act relating to rent payments made by residential tenants.
Brief Description: Concerning rent payments made by residential tenants.
Sponsors: Senators Trudeau, Salomon, Hasegawa and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Housing & Local Government: 1/19/22.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires a landlord to accept a personal check, cashier's check, or money order for rent payments.
  • Prohibits a landlord from including in the rental agreement a provision in which the tenant agrees to make rent payments through electronic means only.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Staff: Brandon Popovac (786-7465)
Background:

The Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA) regulates the creation of residential tenancies and the relationship between landlords and tenants of residential dwelling units.  The RLTA establishes rights and duties of both tenants and landlords, procedures for the parties to enforce their rights, and remedies for violations of the RLTA.  Under the RLTA, a rental agreement may not include provisions in which the tenant, for example:

  • agrees to waive or forgo rights or remedies available under the RLTA;
  • agrees to pay the landlord's attorneys' fees except as authorized; or
  • agrees to pay late fees for rent paid within five days following its due date.

 
Under the RLTA, a landlord may refuse to accept cash for any payment of rent made by a tenant, but must provide a receipt for any payment made by a tenant in the form of cash when the landlord accepts cash.  A landlord must also provide, upon the request of a tenant, a written receipt for any payments made by the tenant in a form other than cash.
Summary of Bill:

A landlord must accept a personal check, cashier's check, or money order for any payment of rent made by a tenant.  A landlord may not include in the rental agreement a provision in which the tenant agrees to make rent payments through electronic means only.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.