§ 59.18.010 Short title
§ 59.18.020 Rights and remedies — Obligation of good faith imposed
§ 59.18.030 Definitions
§ 59.18.040 Living arrangements exempted from chapter
§ 59.18.050 Jurisdiction of district and superior courts
§ 59.18.055 Notice — Alternative procedure — Court’s jurisdiction limited — Application to chapter 59.20 RCW
§ 59.18.057 Notice — Form
§ 59.18.058 Notice — Translated versions — Legal or advocacy resource information
§ 59.18.060 Landlord — Duties
§ 59.18.063 Landlord — Written receipts for payments made by tenant
§ 59.18.065 Landlord — Copy of written rental agreement to tenant
§ 59.18.070 Landlord — Failure to perform duties — Notice from tenant — Contents — Time limits for landlord’s remedial action
§ 59.18.075 Seizure of illegal drugs — Notification of landlord
§ 59.18.080 Payment of rent condition to exercising remedies — Exceptions
§ 59.18.085 Rental of condemned or unlawful dwelling — Tenant’s remedies — Relocation assistance — Penalties
§ 59.18.090 Landlord’s failure to remedy defective condition — Tenant’s choice of actions
§ 59.18.100 Landlord’s failure to carry out duties — Repairs effected by tenant — Procedure — Deduction of cost from rent — Limitations
§ 59.18.110 Failure of landlord to carry out duties — Determination by court or arbitrator — Judgment against landlord for diminished rental value and repair costs — Enforcement of judgment — Reduction in rent under ce
§ 59.18.115 Substandard and dangerous conditions — Notice to landlord — Government certification — Escrow account
§ 59.18.120 Defective condition — Unfeasible to remedy defect — Termination of tenancy
§ 59.18.125 Inspections by local municipalities — Frequency — Number of rental properties inspected — Notice — Appeals — Penalties
§ 59.18.130 Duties of tenant
§ 59.18.140 Reasonable obligations or restrictions — Tenant’s duty to conform — Landlord’s duty to provide written notice in increase of rent
§ 59.18.150 Landlord’s right of entry — Purposes — Searches by fire officials — Searches by code enforcement officials for inspection purposes — Conditions
§ 59.18.160 Landlord’s remedies if tenant fails to remedy defective condition
§ 59.18.170 Landlord to give notice if tenant fails to carry out duties — Late fees
§ 59.18.180 Tenant’s failure to comply with statutory duties — Landlord to give tenant written notice of noncompliance — Landlord’s remedies
§ 59.18.190 Notice to tenant to remedy nonconformance
§ 59.18.200 Tenancy from month to month or for rental period — End of tenancy — Armed forces exception — Exclusion of children — Conversion to condominium — Demolition, substantial rehabilitation of the premises
§ 59.18.210 Tenancies from year to year except under written contract
§ 59.18.220 End of tenancy for a specified time — Armed forces exception
§ 59.18.230 Waiver of chapter provisions prohibited — Provisions prohibited from rental agreement — Distress for rent abolished — Detention of personal property for rent — Remedies
§ 59.18.240 Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord — Prohibited
§ 59.18.250 Reprisals or retaliatory actions by landlord — Presumptions — Rebuttal — Costs
§ 59.18.253 Deposit to secure occupancy by tenant — Landlord’s duties — Violation
§ 59.18.255 Source of income — Landlords prohibited from certain acts — Violation — Penalties
§ 59.18.257 Screening of prospective tenants — Notice to prospective tenant — Costs — Adverse action notice — Violation
§ 59.18.260 Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant — Written rental agreement to specify terms and conditions for retention by landlord — Written checklist required
§ 59.18.270 Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant — Deposit by landlord in trust account — Receipt — Remedies under foreclosure — Claims
§ 59.18.280 Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant — Statement and notice of basis for retention — Remedies for landlord’s failure to make refund — Exception
§ 59.18.283 Moneys paid by tenant — Landlord must apply toward rent — Tenant’s right to possession — Installment payment plans
§ 59.18.285 Nonrefundable fees not to be designated as deposit — Written rental agreement required — Remedies
§ 59.18.290 Removal or exclusion of tenant from premises — Holding over or excluding landlord from premises after termination date — Attorneys’ fees
§ 59.18.300 Termination of tenant’s utility services — Tenant causing loss of landlord provided utility services
§ 59.18.310 Default in rent — Abandonment — Liability of tenant — Landlord’s remedies — Sale of tenant’s property by landlord, deceased tenant exception
§ 59.18.312 Writ of restitution — Storage and sale of tenant’s property — Use of proceeds from sale — Service by sheriff, form
§ 59.18.315 Mediation of disputes by independent third party
§ 59.18.320 Arbitration — Authorized — Exceptions — Notice — Procedure
§ 59.18.330 Arbitration — Application — Hearings — Decisions
§ 59.18.340 Arbitration — Fee
§ 59.18.350 Arbitration — Completion of arbitration after giving notice
§ 59.18.352 Threatening behavior by tenant — Termination of agreement — Written notice — Financial obligations
§ 59.18.354 Threatening behavior by landlord — Termination of agreement — Financial obligations
§ 59.18.360 Exemptions
§ 59.18.363 Unlawful detainer action — Distressed home, previously
§ 59.18.365 Unlawful detainer action — Summons — Form
§ 59.18.367 Unlawful detainer action — Limited dissemination authorized, when
§ 59.18.370 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions — Writ of restitution — Application — Order — Hearing
§ 59.18.380 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions — Writ of restitution — Answer — Order — Stay — Bond
§ 59.18.390 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions — Writ of restitution — Service — Tenant’s bond — Notice
§ 59.18.400 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions — Writ of restitution — Answer of defendant
§ 59.18.410 Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions — Notice of default — Writ of restitution — Judgment — Execution
§ 59.18.412 Forcible or unlawful detainer proceeding
§ 59.18.415 Applicability to certain single-family dwelling leases
§ 59.18.420 RCW 59.12.090, 59.12.100, 59.12.121, and 59.12.170 inapplicable
§ 59.18.430 Applicability to prior, existing or future leases
§ 59.18.435 Applicability to proprietary leases
§ 59.18.440 Relocation assistance for low-income tenants — Certain cities, towns, counties, municipal corporations authorized to require
§ 59.18.450 Relocation assistance for low-income tenants — Payments not considered income — Eligibility for other assistance not affected
§ 59.18.500 Gang-related activity — Legislative findings, declarations, and intent
§ 59.18.510 Gang-related activity — Notice and demand the landlord commence unlawful detainer action — Petition to court — Attorneys’ fees
§ 59.18.550 Drug and alcohol free housing — Program of recovery — Terms — Application of chapter
§ 59.18.570 Victim protection — Definitions
§ 59.18.575 Victim protection — Notice to landlord — Termination of rental agreement — Procedures
§ 59.18.580 Victim protection — Limitation on tenant screening service provider disclosures and landlord’s rental decisions
§ 59.18.585 Victim protection — Possession of dwelling unit — Exclusion of others — New lock or key
§ 59.18.590 Death of a tenant — Designated person
§ 59.18.595 Death of a tenant — Landlord duties — Disposition of property procedures — Liability
§ 59.18.610 Installments — Deposits, nonrefundable fees, and last month’s rent — Statutory penalty
§ 59.18.620 Definitions applicable to RCW 59.18.625 and 59.18.630
§ 59.18.625 Late fees, charges for nonpayment of rent due between March 1, 2020, and six months after eviction moratorium expiration — Violations — Penalties
§ 59.18.630 Eviction moratorium — Unpaid rent — Repayment plans — Rental assistance
§ 59.18.640 Indigent tenants
§ 59.18.650 Eviction of tenant, refusal to continue tenancy, end of periodic tenancy — Cause — Notice — Penalties
§ 59.18.670 Security deposit — Landlord waiver, disclosure form — Fee in lieu — Claims for losses — Judicial action, collection activity — Violation
§ 59.18.900 Severability — 1973 1st ex.s. c 207
§ 59.18.911 Effective date — 1989 c 342
§ 59.18.912 Construction — Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships — 2009 c 521
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Terms Used In Washington Code > Chapter 59.18 - Residential landlord-tenant act

  • Active duty: means service authorized by the president of the United States, the secretary of defense, or the governor for a period of more than 30 consecutive days. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Adverse Action Notice: The notice required by the Equal Credit Opportunity Act advising a credit applicant or existing debtor of the denial of their request for credit or advising of a change in terms considered unfavorable to the account holder. Source: OCC
  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
  • Attorney-at-law: A person who is legally qualified and licensed to practice law, and to represent and act for clients in legal proceedings.
  • Bankruptcy: Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may discharge their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings.
  • Beneficiary: A person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract. Source: OCC
  • Certificate of inspection: means an unsworn statement, declaration, verification, or certificate made in accordance with the requirements of chapter 5. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Comprehensive reusable tenant screening report: means a tenant screening report prepared by a consumer reporting agency at the direction of and paid for by the prospective tenant and made available directly to a prospective landlord at no charge, which contains all of the following: (a) A consumer credit report prepared by a consumer reporting agency within the past 30 days; (b) the prospective tenant's criminal history; (c) the prospective tenant's eviction history; (d) an employment verification; and (e) the prospective tenant's address and rental history. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Counterclaim: A claim that a defendant makes against a plaintiff.
  • Credit report: A detailed report of an individual's credit history prepared by a credit bureau and used by a lender in determining a loan applicant's creditworthiness. Source: OCC
  • Credit Score: A number, roughly between 300 and 800, that measures an individual's credit worthiness. The most well-known type of credit score is the FICO score. This score represents the answer from a mathematical formula that assigns numerical values to various pieces of information in your credit report. Source: OCC
  • Criminal history: means a report containing or summarizing (a) the prospective tenant's criminal convictions and pending cases, the final disposition of which antedates the report by no more than seven years, and (b) the results of a sex offender registry and United States department of the treasury's office of foreign assets control search, all based on at least seven years of address history and alias information provided by the prospective tenant or available in the consumer credit report. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
  • Designated person: means a person designated by the tenant under RCW 59. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Docket: A log containing brief entries of court proceedings.
  • Dwelling unit: is a structure or that part of a structure which is used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one person or by two or more persons maintaining a common household, including but not limited to single-family residences and units of multiplexes, apartment buildings, and mobile homes. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Escrow: Money given to a third party to be held for payment until certain conditions are met.
  • Eviction history: means a report containing or summarizing the contents of any records of unlawful detainer actions concerning the prospective tenant that are reportable in accordance with state law, are lawful for landlords to consider, and are obtained after a search based on at least seven years of address history and alias information provided by the prospective tenant or available in the consumer credit report. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Fair market value: The price at which an asset would change hands in a transaction between a willing, informed buyer and a willing, informed seller.
  • Foreclosure: A legal process in which property that is collateral or security for a loan may be sold to help repay the loan when the loan is in default. Source: OCC
  • Gang: means a group that: (a) Consists of three or more persons; (b) has identifiable leadership or an identifiable name, sign, or symbol; and (c) on an ongoing basis, regularly conspires and acts in concert mainly for criminal purposes. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Gang-related activity: means any activity that occurs within the gang or advances a gang purpose. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Immediate family: includes state registered domestic partner, spouse, parents, grandparents, children, including foster children, siblings, and in-laws. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Intestate: Dying without leaving a will.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Landlord: means the owner, lessor, or sublessor of the dwelling unit or the property of which it is a part, and in addition means any person designated as representative of the owner, lessor, or sublessor including, but not limited to, an agent, a resident manager, or a designated property manager. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Lawsuit: A legal action started by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a complaint that the defendant failed to perform a legal duty, resulting in harm to the plaintiff.
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • lease: means all agreements which establish or modify the terms, conditions, rules, regulations, or any other provisions concerning the use and occupancy of a dwelling unit. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Legislative session: That part of a chamber's daily session in which it considers legislative business (bills, resolutions, and actions related thereto).
  • Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
  • Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
  • Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.
  • Mortgagee: The person to whom property is mortgaged and who has loaned the money.
  • Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • Orders: means written official military orders, or any written notification, certification, or verification from the service member's commanding officer, with respect to the service member's current or future military status. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Owner: means one or more persons, jointly or severally, in whom is vested:
Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
  • Permanent change of station: means : (a) Transfer to a unit located at another port or duty station; (b) change in a unit's home port or permanent duty station; (c) call to active duty for a period not less than 90 days; (d) separation; or (e) retirement. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Person: means an individual, group of individuals, corporation, government, or governmental agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, or association, two or more persons having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or commercial entity. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Personal property: All property that is not real property.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Precedent: A court decision in an earlier case with facts and law similar to a dispute currently before a court. Precedent will ordinarily govern the decision of a later similar case, unless a party can show that it was wrongly decided or that it differed in some significant way.
  • Premises: means a dwelling unit, appurtenances thereto, grounds, and facilities held out for the use of tenants generally and any other area or facility which is held out for use by the tenant. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
  • Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
  • Prospective landlord: means a landlord or a person who advertises, solicits, offers, or otherwise holds a dwelling unit out as available for rent. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Prospective tenant: means a tenant or a person who has applied for residential housing that is governed under this chapter. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Qualified inspector: means a United States department of housing and urban development certified inspector; a Washington state licensed home inspector; an American society of home inspectors certified inspector; a private inspector certified by the national association of housing and redevelopment officials, the American association of code enforcement, or other comparable professional association as approved by the local municipality; a municipal code enforcement officer; a Washington licensed structural engineer; or a Washington licensed architect. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
  • Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
  • rental amount: means recurring and periodic charges identified in the rental agreement for the use and occupancy of the premises, which may include charges for utilities. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • rental property: means all dwelling units on a contiguous quantity of land managed by the same landlord as a single, rental complex. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • Service member: means an active member of the United States armed forces, a member of a military reserve component, or a member of the national guard who is either stationed in or a resident of Washington state. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • single-family residence: is a structure maintained and used as a single dwelling unit. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Subsidized housing: refers to rental housing for very low-income or low-income households that is a dwelling unit operated directly by a public housing authority or its affiliate, or that is insured, financed, or assisted in whole or in part through one of the following sources:
    • Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
  • tenant: is a ny person who is entitled to occupy a dwelling unit primarily for living or dwelling purposes under a rental agreement. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Tenant representative: means :
    • Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Tenant screening: means using a consumer report or other information about a prospective tenant in deciding whether to make or accept an offer for residential rental property to or from a prospective tenant. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Tenant screening report: means a consumer report as defined in RCW 19. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
  • Transitional housing: means housing units owned, operated, or managed by a nonprofit organization or governmental entity in which supportive services are provided to individuals and families that were formerly homeless, with the intent to stabilize them and move them to permanent housing within a period of not more than 24 months, or longer if the program is limited to tenants within a specified age range or the program is intended for tenants in need of time to complete and transition from educational or training or service programs. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Trust account: A general term that covers all types of accounts in a trust department, such as estates, guardianships, and agencies. Source: OCC
  • Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
  • Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
  • Wear resulting from ordinary use of the premises: means deterioration that results from the intended use of a dwelling unit, including breakage or malfunction due to age or deteriorated condition. See Washington Code 59.18.030
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.