Revised Code of Washington
2024 Archive

Chapter 59.18 RCW
RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT ACT
PDF of Chapter Digest
PDF of Complete Chapter
Sections
59.18.010Short title.
59.18.020Rights and remediesObligation of good faith imposed.
59.18.030Definitions.
59.18.040Living arrangements exempted from chapter.
59.18.050Jurisdiction of district and superior courts.
59.18.055NoticeAlternative procedureCourt's jurisdiction limitedApplication to chapter 59.20 RCW.
59.18.057NoticeForm.
59.18.058NoticeTranslated versionsLegal or advocacy resource information.
59.18.060LandlordDuties.
59.18.063LandlordWritten receipts for payments made by tenant.
59.18.065LandlordCopy of written rental agreement to tenant.
59.18.070LandlordFailure to perform dutiesNotice from tenantContentsTime limits for landlord's remedial action.
59.18.075Seizure of illegal drugsNotification of landlord.
59.18.080Payment of rent condition to exercising remediesExceptions.
59.18.085Rental of condemned or unlawful dwellingTenant's remediesRelocation assistancePenalties.
59.18.090Landlord's failure to remedy defective conditionTenant's choice of actions.
59.18.100Landlord's failure to carry out dutiesRepairs effected by tenantProcedureDeduction of cost from rentLimitations.
59.18.110Failure of landlord to carry out dutiesDetermination by court or arbitratorJudgment against landlord for diminished rental value and repair costsEnforcement of judgmentReduction in rent under certain conditions.
59.18.115Substandard and dangerous conditionsNotice to landlordGovernment certificationEscrow account.
59.18.120Defective conditionUnfeasible to remedy defectTermination of tenancy.
59.18.125Inspections by local municipalitiesFrequencyNumber of rental properties inspectedNoticeAppealsPenalties.
59.18.130Duties of tenant.
59.18.140Reasonable obligations or restrictionsTenant's duty to conformLandlord's duty to provide written notice in increase of rent.
59.18.150Landlord's right of entryPurposesSearches by fire officialsSearches by code enforcement officials for inspection purposesConditions.
59.18.160Landlord's remedies if tenant fails to remedy defective condition.
59.18.170Landlord to give notice if tenant fails to carry out dutiesLate fees.
59.18.180Tenant's failure to comply with statutory dutiesLandlord to give tenant written notice of noncomplianceLandlord's remedies.
59.18.190Notice to tenant to remedy nonconformance.
59.18.200Tenancy from month to month or for rental periodEnd of tenancyArmed forces exceptionExclusion of childrenConversion to condominiumDemolition, substantial rehabilitation of the premisesNotice.
59.18.210Tenancies from year to year except under written contract.
59.18.220End of tenancy for a specified timeArmed forces exception.
59.18.230Waiver of chapter provisions prohibitedProvisions prohibited from rental agreementDistress for rent abolishedDetention of personal property for rentRemedies.
59.18.240Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlordProhibited.
59.18.250Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlordPresumptionsRebuttalCosts.
59.18.253Deposit to secure occupancy by tenantLandlord's dutiesViolation.
59.18.255Source of incomeLandlords prohibited from certain actsViolationPenalties.
59.18.257Screening of prospective tenantsNotice to prospective tenantCostsAdverse action noticeViolation.
59.18.260Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenantWritten rental agreement to specify terms and conditions for retention by landlordWritten checklist required.
59.18.270Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenantDeposit by landlord in trust accountReceiptRemedies under foreclosureClaims.
59.18.280Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenantStatement and notice of basis for retentionRemedies for landlord's failure to make refundException.
59.18.283Moneys paid by tenantLandlord must apply toward rentTenant's right to possessionInstallment payment plans.
59.18.285Nonrefundable fees not to be designated as depositWritten rental agreement requiredRemedies.
59.18.290Removal or exclusion of tenant from premisesHolding over or excluding landlord from premises after termination dateAttorneys' fees.
59.18.300Termination of tenant's utility servicesTenant causing loss of landlord provided utility services.
59.18.310Default in rentAbandonmentLiability of tenantLandlord's remediesSale of tenant's property by landlord, deceased tenant exception.
59.18.312Writ of restitutionStorage and sale of tenant's propertyUse of proceeds from saleService by sheriff, form.
59.18.315Mediation of disputes by independent third party.
59.18.320ArbitrationAuthorizedExceptionsNoticeProcedure.
59.18.330ArbitrationApplicationHearingsDecisions.
59.18.340ArbitrationFee.
59.18.350ArbitrationCompletion of arbitration after giving notice.
59.18.352Threatening behavior by tenantTermination of agreementWritten noticeFinancial obligations.
59.18.354Threatening behavior by landlordTermination of agreementFinancial obligations.
59.18.360Exemptions.
59.18.363Unlawful detainer actionDistressed home, previously.
59.18.365Unlawful detainer actionSummonsForm.
59.18.367Unlawful detainer actionLimited dissemination authorized, when.
59.18.370Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actionsWrit of restitutionApplicationOrderHearing.
59.18.380Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actionsWrit of restitutionAnswerOrderStayBond.
59.18.390Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actionsWrit of restitutionServiceTenant's bondNotice.
59.18.400Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actionsWrit of restitutionAnswer of defendant.
59.18.410Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actionsNotice of defaultWrit of restitutionJudgmentExecution.
59.18.412Forcible or unlawful detainer proceeding.
59.18.415Applicability to certain single-family dwelling leases.
59.18.420RCW 59.12.090, 59.12.100, 59.12.121, and 59.12.170 inapplicable.
59.18.430Applicability to prior, existing or future leases.
59.18.435Applicability to proprietary leases.
59.18.440Relocation assistance for low-income tenantsCertain cities, towns, counties, municipal corporations authorized to require.
59.18.450Relocation assistance for low-income tenantsPayments not considered incomeEligibility for other assistance not affected.
59.18.500Gang-related activityLegislative findings, declarations, and intent.
59.18.510Gang-related activityNotice and demand the landlord commence unlawful detainer actionPetition to courtAttorneys' fees.
59.18.550Drug and alcohol free housingProgram of recoveryTermsApplication of chapter.
59.18.570Victim protectionDefinitions.
59.18.575Victim protectionNotice to landlordTermination of rental agreementProcedures.
59.18.580Victim protectionLimitation on tenant screening service provider disclosures and landlord's rental decisions.
59.18.585Victim protectionPossession of dwelling unitExclusion of othersNew lock or key.
59.18.590Death of a tenantDesignated person.
59.18.595Death of a tenantLandlord dutiesDisposition of property proceduresLiability.
59.18.610InstallmentsDeposits, nonrefundable fees, and last month's rentStatutory penalty.
59.18.620Definitions applicable to RCW 59.18.625 and 59.18.630.
59.18.625Late fees, charges for nonpayment of rent due between March 1, 2020, and six months after eviction moratorium expirationViolationsPenalties.
59.18.630Eviction moratoriumUnpaid rentRepayment plansRental assistance.
59.18.640Indigent tenants.
59.18.650Eviction of tenant, refusal to continue tenancy, end of periodic tenancyCauseNoticePenalties.
59.18.670Security depositLandlord waiver, disclosure formFee in lieuClaims for lossesJudicial action, collection activityViolation.
59.18.900Severability1973 1st ex.s. c 207.
59.18.911Effective date1989 c 342.
59.18.912ConstructionChapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships2009 c 521.
NOTES:
Reviser's note: This chapter was revised pursuant to Wash. Ass'n of Apartment Ass'ns v. Evans, 88 Wn.2d 563, 564 P.2d 788 (1977), which declared invalid the fourteen item and section vetoes to 1973 Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 2226 (1973 1st ex.s. c 207).
Filing fees for unlawful detainer actions: RCW 36.18.012.
Smoke detection devices in dwelling units required: RCW 43.44.110.